Former National Security Council chief of staff Fred Fleitz expressed concerns Saturday over President Joe Biden's reported private message to Iran, stating that it adds to an "unserious and frivolous foreign policy" that may worsen the security situation in the Middle East.
"Biden sent a private message to the Iranians, and we're told that Biden basically is telling the media that Iranians know not to do anything. I don't know what that's about, and I don't think Biden could presume to speak for Iran," Fleitz said on Newsmax's "Saturday Agenda."
In response to a question about Houthi terrorists' repeated attacks on commercial vessels, Fleitz argued that the recent airstrikes were a necessary response, not an escalation. He explained, "There's been an argument that these airstrikes are escalating tensions in the region, and I would argue that American weaknesses escalated tensions. It led the Houthis to keep stepping up their missile attacks on Red Sea shipping and on Israel."
Expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of past strikes, Fleitz emphasized the need for a more substantial response, stating, "I hope they hit targets that are going to set back the Houthi missile and drone program. The administration has a record of pinprick strikes in Iraq and Syria that don't do substantial damage."
Biden's weakness "led the Houthis to keep stepping up their missile attacks on Red Sea shipping and on Israel," he said.
Continuing his analysis, Fleitz stressed the importance of ongoing efforts to establish deterrence against the Houthis. He doubted the Biden administration's commitment, saying, "Biden has to have the backbone to continue to keep this up to establish deterrence against the Houthis, and I'm not optimistic this is going to happen."
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Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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