The Middle East is in a very dangerous crossroads. On the one hand, there’s enormous pressure on Israel to accept the survival of Hamas, to look for some kind of solution, and I put that in quotes, for Gaza, and who recognize that Israel is surrounded by nearby enemies, the Houthi down in Yemen, Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, the forces of the Syrian dictatorship, and of course, the distant enemy around. And some would say that stopping the war against Hamas will somehow improve Israel’s position, that there will be some magic coalition come together, probably led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and they will police Gaza and make it safe for Israel.
On the other hand, none of the core problems of the region are being solved. Hezbollah is still in southern Lebanon, being funded, armed, trained by Iran. The Syrian dictatorship continues to be a puppet of the Iranians. The Houthis have cheerfully taken on the Saudis, the United Arab Emirates, and now the Americans and the British. They’ve been bombed over 23,000 times, and it’s had no real effect on them, so they continue to threaten the Red Sea, and they pose the threat of missiles coming from the south toward Israel. All of these things are still there, nothing has been changed.
What’s been added to it is a worldwide propaganda campaign, by the elements of Iran, and by the forces that favor Hamas, leading to huge demonstrations in the United States, in Great Britain and elsewhere, and leading to a desire, a desperation by Western politicians, whether in Germany, France, Britain, or the United States, to somehow get Israel to stop, to accept a truce, as though that truce would somehow be in the long run successful.
It gets kind of an interesting thing to watch. Everybody understood. On October 7, when 1200 Israelis and young visitors were killed, went over 250 people were taken hostage that Israel had to react. But day by day, week by week, people forget, this core problem hasn’t been solved in Rafah. There is an estimated four brigades, about 15,000.
People in the Hamas military, still a very sizable force.
If they’re still there, when this is over, they will in fact, reengage in attacking Israel, they say so publicly. As far as they’re concerned, they’re never going to accept a permanent end to the war until they can destroy Israel. As their slogan goes, not a single Jew will remain. So I think we have to recognize what a very crucial turning point we don’t know yet which way this is going to go. And we should be paying very careful attention.
Commentary
Our commentary partners will help you reach your own conclusions on complex topics.
‘A promise’: Cadets describe their journeys at West Point
Jan 10 Dr. Frank Luntz‘A disturbing pick’: Americans debate Musk, Trump’s cabinet picks
Jan 3 Dr. Frank Luntz‘Dysfunctional’: Americans share criticisms of Congress
Dec 27 Dr. Frank Luntz‘Instill optimism’: Americans on how future generations can succeed
Dec 20 Dr. Frank LuntzThe Middle East is at a turning point
By Straight Arrow News
Israel’s list of nearby enemies in the Middle East includes Iran, Hezbollah and the Houthis, in addition to its most obvious current enemy, Hamas. While some peace negotiators expressed guarded optimism regarding a deal that sets up Palestine as a sovereign nation using terms and borders agreed to back in 2002, it remains highly questionable whether either Israel or Hamas would accept such a deal in 2024. Both Israeli and Hamas officials expressed a conviction to continue fighting regardless of whatever offer is on the table.
Watch the video above as Straight Arrow News contributor Newt Gingrich walks through the various threats that Israel faces and how he thinks the United States should respond.
Be the first to know when Newt Gingrich publishes a new opinion every Wednesday! Download the Straight Arrow News app and enable push notifications today!
The following is an excerpt of the above video:
The Middle East is in a very dangerous crossroads. On the one hand, there’s enormous pressure on Israel to accept the survival of Hamas, to look for some kind of “solution,” and I put that in quotes, for Gaza, and who recognize that Israel is surrounded by nearby enemies, the Houthi down in Yemen, Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, the forces of the Syrian dictatorship, and of course, the distant enemy around. And some would say that stopping the war against Hamas will somehow improve Israel’s position, that there will be some magic coalition come together, probably led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and they will police Gaza and make it safe for Israel.
On the other hand, none of the core problems of the region are being solved. Hezbollah is still in southern Lebanon, being funded, armed, trained by Iran. The Syrian dictatorship continues to be a puppet of the Iranians. The Houthis have cheerfully taken on the Saudis, the United Arab Emirates, and now the Americans and the British. They’ve been bombed over 23,000 times, and it’s had no real effect on them, so they continue to threaten the Red Sea, and they pose the threat of missiles coming from the south toward Israel. All of these things are still there, nothing has been changed.
What’s been added to it is a worldwide propaganda campaign, by the elements of Iran, and by the forces that favor Hamas, leading to huge demonstrations in the United States, in Great Britain and elsewhere, and leading to a desire, a desperation by Western politicians, whether in Germany, France, Britain, or the United States, to somehow get Israel to stop, to accept a truce, as though that truce would somehow be in the long run successful.
The Middle East is in a very dangerous crossroads. On the one hand, there’s enormous pressure on Israel to accept the survival of Hamas, to look for some kind of solution, and I put that in quotes, for Gaza, and who recognize that Israel is surrounded by nearby enemies, the Houthi down in Yemen, Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, the forces of the Syrian dictatorship, and of course, the distant enemy around. And some would say that stopping the war against Hamas will somehow improve Israel’s position, that there will be some magic coalition come together, probably led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and they will police Gaza and make it safe for Israel.
On the other hand, none of the core problems of the region are being solved. Hezbollah is still in southern Lebanon, being funded, armed, trained by Iran. The Syrian dictatorship continues to be a puppet of the Iranians. The Houthis have cheerfully taken on the Saudis, the United Arab Emirates, and now the Americans and the British. They’ve been bombed over 23,000 times, and it’s had no real effect on them, so they continue to threaten the Red Sea, and they pose the threat of missiles coming from the south toward Israel. All of these things are still there, nothing has been changed.
What’s been added to it is a worldwide propaganda campaign, by the elements of Iran, and by the forces that favor Hamas, leading to huge demonstrations in the United States, in Great Britain and elsewhere, and leading to a desire, a desperation by Western politicians, whether in Germany, France, Britain, or the United States, to somehow get Israel to stop, to accept a truce, as though that truce would somehow be in the long run successful.
It gets kind of an interesting thing to watch. Everybody understood. On October 7, when 1200 Israelis and young visitors were killed, went over 250 people were taken hostage that Israel had to react. But day by day, week by week, people forget, this core problem hasn’t been solved in Rafah. There is an estimated four brigades, about 15,000.
People in the Hamas military, still a very sizable force.
If they’re still there, when this is over, they will in fact, reengage in attacking Israel, they say so publicly. As far as they’re concerned, they’re never going to accept a permanent end to the war until they can destroy Israel. As their slogan goes, not a single Jew will remain. So I think we have to recognize what a very crucial turning point we don’t know yet which way this is going to go. And we should be paying very careful attention.
We need one big budget reconciliation bill, not two
Looking forward to major shift in US government
The United States should stay out of Syria
Congress must invest in military, stay vigilant
Trump can nominate Patel, Hegseth, but will Senate confirm?
Underreported stories from each side
Hunter Biden artworks worth ‘millions of dollars’ destroyed in LA fires: NY Post
13 sources | 0% from the left ReutersCanadian industry groups call for help facing US tariffs
60 sources | 15% from the right Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu Agency via Getty ImagesLatest Stories
Bias Comparison but no Bias Summaries
Bias Summaries but no Bias Comparison
Both Bias Summaries and Bias Comparison with two sides
Both Bias Summaries and Bias Comparison – Bias Left Summaries missing
Both Bias Summaries and Bias Comparison
Popular Opinions
In addition to the facts, we believe it’s vital to hear perspectives from all sides of the political spectrum.
We need one big budget reconciliation bill, not two
Jan 15 Newt GingrichRFK Jr. at Health Department a chance to tackle drug addiction crisis
Jan 15 Adrienne LawrenceIs Meta’s free speech overhaul a power play or real change?
Jan 14 Ben WeingartenAmerica is deeply divided. Here’s what you can do.
Jan 14 Ruben Navarrette