Key Takeaways:
– A leak of top-secret documents on Israel’s retaliation for Iran’s missile attack has stirred up controversy.
– The documents which landed on a pro-Iranian social media platform, revealed details of Israeli’s strategic planning.
– No official response has been provided by the Pentagon or the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence about the leak.
– The leak escalates tension in the already strained relations between the U.S. and Israel.
– The situation has ignited suspicions about certain individuals within the American administration actively working against Israel.
Biden-Harris Meet with Security Advisers
On Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had a meeting with national security advisers. They talked about recent terrorist attacks by Hamas prior to a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Confidential Document Leak Sparks Investigations
Suddenly, a wave of controversy has hit the scene shaking up everyone’s attention. Top secret documents detailing Israel’s presumed retaliation for Iran’s missile strike suddenly surfaced on a pro-Iranian social media platform, Telegram. The two files publiсed claimed to have arrived directly from a Pentagon source.
These documents speak about the actions taken by the Israeli Air Force on Oct. 15–16 in anticipation of a proposed attack. The news sent shockwaves around the globe, especially in governmental circles, demanding an immediate investigation into the leak.
Ensuing Chaos in US-Israel Relations
The leak hasn’t gone unnoticed by Israeli officials. They voiced their extreme concern over the situation and the severity of the leak. This incident sets a new low in the relations between the United States and Israel, which isn’t at its best already.
Israel’s military successes were attributed to a disregard for Washington’s advice. An example includes the Vice President’s advice against entering Rafah, which was ignored leading to the rescue of hostages and the take-down of Oct. 7’s mastermind Yahya Sinwar.
Israeli Strikes Kept Secret from US
Adding to the tension, Israeli strikes that eliminated Hezbollah’s secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas’ leader Ismail Haniyeh were kept a secret from the U.S. It’s clear that Israel has major trust issues with the American administration.
Suspicions of Disloyalty Within the U.S. Government
Matters are made worse as suspicions rise about the loyalty of certain individuals within the U.S. government, particularly those working in departments that are supposed to ally with Israel. Ariane Tabatabai from the Pentagon’s office of low-intensity conflict/special operations is one such individual under scrutiny, raising questions about where their loyalties truly lie.
Ambiguity in US’s Stand on Israel’s Self-Defense
While the U.S. endlessly repeats Israel’s right to defend itself, the real meaning behind the statement is becoming ambiguous. The trust between the two countries is dwindling at a rapid pace. Confusion abounds over how much intelligence the U.S. really has. Any possibility of the U.S. having knowledge about the Oct. 7, 2023, attack and choosing to withhold it adds an extra layer of tension.
Questionable Support from the Biden-Harris Administration
Biden-Harris administration’s support for Israel in their conflict with Iran is in question. The various hurdles put in Israel’s path by the U.S. during the conflict have not gone unnoticed. It’s either a consequence of the U.S.’s failed attempts to thaw relations with the Islamic Republic, or possibly something more sinister. This leaves the Israeli-U.S. relationship in a bad state, raising serious worries for the future.