Criticism is mounting against President Biden’s Middle East policy in the aftermath of a deadly attack on a Jordanian base near the Syria border, resulting in the death of three American service members and injuries to 25 others. Sen. Lindsey Graham swiftly advocated for a forceful response, emphasizing the failure of the administration’s deterrence strategy against Iran.
The incident, a drone attack confirmed by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), prompted Biden to attribute responsibility to “radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq.” The identities of the deceased service members are being withheld until 24 hours after notifying their next of kin.
Graham expressed dissatisfaction with the administration’s approach, stating, “When the Biden Administration says ‘don’t,’ the Iranians ‘do.’” He criticized the rhetoric as ineffective, highlighting over 100 attacks against U.S. forces in the region and emphasizing Iran’s undeterred stance. Despite Biden’s assertion two weeks ago that he had delivered a clear message to Iran, critics argue that the attack demonstrates a lack of deterrence.
Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, a former national security adviser, echoed Graham’s sentiments on “Fox News Live,” urging the administration to escalate its response. Kellogg emphasized that Iranian-backed groups were behind numerous attacks on American forces and stressed the need for a robust reaction to prevent further aggression.
Sen. Tom Cotton expressed concern over Biden’s perceived leniency toward Iran, accusing the president of emboldening the country through past actions. He called for devastating military retaliation against Iran’s terrorist forces as the only appropriate response to the recent attack.
Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Michael McCaul, called for a “major reset” of the administration’s Middle East policy. Pointing to over 150 attacks by Iran’s proxies since October, McCaul criticized the failed policy, claiming it has undermined deterrence against adversaries in the region.
As the Biden administration faces growing pressure to reassess its approach, the international community closely watches the unfolding developments, anticipating a potential shift in the U.S. response to the rising tensions in the Middle East.