Serious risk. The US is preparing to use force
6:46 AM EDT, October 18, 2023
According to information provided by Axios, the White House administration is seriously considering and preparing for the possibility of using force if the Lebanese organization Hezbollah decides to open a second front in the war against Israel.
The same message was to be conveyed by US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, during his talks with leaders of Arab countries.
The Axios portal, citing its sources within the administration, reports that the issue of potential use of military force by the United States, in case of involvement in a conflict by a Shiite militia supported by Iran, was the subject of discussion during several meetings that took place in the White House over the past few days.
According to information passed on by Axios interlocutors, a potential US response would depend on the scale of the attack conducted by Hezbollah and on Israel's ability to respond to such an attack.
Israel. Serious concerns of USA
President Joe Biden has repeatedly expressed his concerns about the scenario of war escalation, each time warning Israel's enemies against taking such a step.
Evidence of the seriousness and determination of the US administration may be the deployment of two aircraft carrier strike groups and additional fighters near Israel. Pentagon Deputy Spokeswoman, Sabrina Singh, announced on Tuesday that 2,000 soldiers have been ordered to prepare for deployment in the region, so that - in the event of the president's decision to send them - they could "quickly respond to the changing security environment in the Middle East".
Sending additional forces would aim to strengthen Israel's air defense, as well as improve logistics, reconnaissance, and medical services.
As reported by Axios, Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, reportedly emphasized the forces that the United States is sending to the region during a series of conversations with Arab state leaders. Blinken is said to have informed his interlocutors that America is "not joking", which is meant to underline the seriousness of the situation and the determination of the US.
