العربية
Editor's note: This lens was published earlier to cancel the Quartet Summit in Amman, and this does not affect the analytical contents contained.
What Happened?
U.S. President Joe Biden is preparing for an extraordinary visit to Jordan and Israel on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. He intends to meet with Israeli leaders and then head to Jordan, which is hosting a quadripartite summit involving Biden, His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
A Closer Look:
President Joe Biden's visit to the region comes amid unprecedented circumstances, particularly following the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas. Several challenges accompany this visit. Regarding the security risks facing dignitaries and diplomatic delegations traveling to Israel, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, many diplomats had to seek shelter due to rocket barrages fired from Gaza towards Tel Aviv.
The visit is marked by an intensification of U.S.-Israeli coordination, with Biden engaging in intensive talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. High-level American delegations have also been present in Tel Aviv since October 7, with two visits by Blinken, a visit by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and a visit by the commander of the U.S. Army Central Command, General Michael Corella. Additionally, the United States has deployed two aircraft carriers to the eastern Mediterranean and placed approximately 2,000 U.S. troops in the Middle East on standby.
A Turning Point!
In light of these developments, it becomes evident that Washington recognizes the significance of Tel Aviv and that presidential visits are not merely symbolic. This suggests that President Joe Biden's visit aims to propose new arrangements that could bring about a profound shift in the Palestinian cause and potentially in the broader Middle East landscape. This analysis is supported by the scale of U.S. military reinforcement in the region, which extends beyond the threats and risks posed by Palestinian factions' capabilities.
Hence, what President Biden proposes during this visit may pertain to the issue of displacement, possibly in exchange for financial and economic incentives. Such a proposal carries significant implications for the future of the region. It also necessitates consideration of the views of Jordan and Egypt's leaders, especially as both countries continue to caution against solutions that extend beyond the geographical scope of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, particularly plans involving Palestinian displacement.