The Biden Administration’s Middle East Policy at a Time of War: An Assessment of US Policy Six Months Into the Israel-Hamas War

Brian Katulis

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Executive Summary

The Biden administration set forth five main objectives in reaction to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack against Israel and ensuing war in the Gaza Strip:

1. Support Israel’s self-defense and objective of eliminating the threat posed by Hamas;
2. Secure the safe return of hostages;
3. Prevent a wider regional war;
4. Protect civilians and respond to a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza; and
5. Create a post-war plan for reconstruction leading to a two-state solution and wider regional normalization efforts in coordination with regional and international partners.

Six months into the Israel-Hamas war, the Biden administration has not achieved enough progress toward these goals, although it has avoided some of the worst-case scenarios. Success is hampered in part by tensions stemming from the fact that some of the tactics and policy approaches are at odds with each other.