US in 'tough position' as multiple wars erupt: expert
STORY: Following an unprecedented, surprise attack by Hamas on Israel that has left hundreds dead, America's closest ally in the Middle East has declared war -- putting the U.S. in a tough position as it tries to meet the needs of both Israel and Ukraine simultaneously.
“It's very difficult for the United States right now. They're in a really, I mean, a very tough position, clearly.”
Dr. Carolyn Kissane is Associate Dean at New York University’s Center of Global Affairs:
“The Biden administration has come out very clearly with unequivocal support for Israel. Biden has also said that there would be military assistance. What that military assistance will look like is still to be worked out. We can assume it will not be boots on the ground, U.S. boots on the ground, but in terms of military machinery and probably above and beyond the current $3 billion a year that the United States provides to Israel.”
The U.S. Army on Monday said it would need Congress to approve additional funding to ensure the Pentagon's munitions production and acquisition plans can simultaneously meet the needs of both Israel and Ukraine.
“at a time that the United States is going into an election year where we're, you know, we need to provide support to regional fronts in the Middle East and, you know, in Ukraine, and you've got Iran and you've got Russia. It's you know, it's… You know, it's going to keep foreign policy experts very, very busy.”
Washington's first shipment of security assistance to Israel is expected to arrive in days.
