This week we grappled with how profoundly the war between Israel and Hamas will shake the Middle East and America. Just as President Joe Biden was preparing to fly into the region, a deadly blast struck the Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza, killing many Palestinians sheltering there. Despite strong evidence that the cause was a failed Palestinian rocket being fired from Gaza, what should have been a springboard for regional diplomacy instead triggered anti-Israel riots across the Arab world. Mr Biden’s summit with Arab leaders was cancelled. Mr Biden won a token deal to allow a small amount of aid into Gaza, but Israel’s blockade threatens civilians with hunger and epidemic disease. Meanwhile, Iran, Russia and China are profiting from the mayhem.
Much can and will go wrong in the weeks ahead, but Mr Biden is the only leader who has a hope of pulling the Middle East back from the brink of a bigger catastrophe. If he fails, and the security of the region crumbles, it will not only be a catastrophe for Israelis and Arabs, but for America, too. | 
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