War and Great Leadership During

You never know when a great leader may emerge among us but war brings that process along faster than at other times in history. It may seem an obvious statement but as I have observed President Joe Biden over the last week, I am convinced that he has risen to the needs of this moment in world history and in the political life of our country.

It could have gone many other ways, you know. We could have equilibrated on how to respond to the attack on Israel, even blamed them as some have done these last two weeks. Not Joe. He declared support for Israel to defend itself and the right to have a place on Earth that is theirs. But, he put larger concerns alongside that statement, reminding Israel to not make the mistake the U.S. did after 911 letting our deep sorrow and outrage at the tragic and loss of life as we all watched the twin towers implode and crumble. All those lives lost all those families and communities asunder. That is what Israel experienced and is continuing to experience as their family members and citizens are being held hostage (and Americans). The violations of Hamas in committing atrocities not seen in modern times, on babies, pregnant women, old people and youth. This is trauma with a life of its own. Intergeneration trauma that works its terrible consequences in the bodies and minds of survivors for decades or more.

I recall President George W. Bush dressed in fatigues on a warship declaring “job done” so irrationally and then the brutal “shock and awe” campaign on the people of Afghanistan and later Iraq. We never found any weapons of mass destruction. How we mistreated hostages at Guantanamo Bay prison… These reactions were the result of rage and anger and the feeling of being justified: an eye for an eye, “making the whole world blind” as Mahatmas Ghandi declared when the Hindu and Muslim in India raged against each other after the long British colonization and repression. Yes, we’ve all indulged our need for revenge but now, in a world in conflict and with fascist movements and leaders around the world pitted against democracies, Joe Biden cleared the air. Democracies must come together to defend freedom and self-determination. Biden reminded Americans of a higher purpose that while flawed, America is the country the world looks to when democracies are at risk. He talked to Americans about the need to end the divisions among us – without denigrating any party. He is showing restraint and calling us to respond to a higher calling, to remember who we are.

Clarity, compasssion, wise policy, practical direction – these are the hallmarks of Biden’s leadership in the face of what potentilly could erupt into a broader and complex multistate war. He reiterated this, repeating the caution. Strong leadership when needed most.

We hear about Biden’s age. Well, he demonstrated the only real tangible sign of his age: wisdom. I am so glad Joe Biden is in the leadership seat of our nation at this perilous time

For an astute analysis of the current moment, with an historian’s eye on global political relations, here is Heather Cox Richardson’s daily Letter to Americans. I also recommend her new book: Democracy Awakening.

10-27-23 Update: I am posting a suggested interview on CSPAN with Aaron David Miller for a indepth discussion of where the conflict may or could go from here. Very informative discussion. Thanks to wordwhit for the recommendation.

11=01=23 from today’s Letter to Americans by Heather Cox Richardson with this reference to the discussion. UpdateVox history of “How We Got Here” referring to the history of Palestine and Jewish people. I found this expanding as it shows the long history of how Palestine has been the subject of varying forces with their own intents, starting with Great Britain.