Predictably, the resort to violent ‘defense’ by Israel has metastasized into another major escalation in the region. With a massive missile attack on Iran, both countries have been entrenched in a large-scale back and forth of missiles. Each side notably claiming: ‘self-defense.’ This past weekend, the U.S. participated in this dynamic by bombing Iran.
Such a strategy will only increase the bitterness, trauma and threat not only to Israel but also more directly to U.S. citizens here and abroad. Destroying military equipment, nuclear sites, or killing key leaders doesn’t get to the root causes or unmet needs behind the perceived or actual threats.
More Americans support alternatives to the U.S. bombing Iran, while many experts warn us to find an alternative approach and avoid past destructive patterns in the region.
An alternative approach for the President is to orient the U.S. strategy with a just peace approach to the treacherous dynamics of violence.
1) Re-engage in consistent diplomacy: focus on the needs of the parties, such as security, respect, and acknowledgment of harm. For example, this might include an agreement to only do nuclear energy in Iran if Israel agrees to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza; and/or Iran supports removal of Hamas from government in Gaza for Israel supporting an alternative Palestinian government; etc.
2) Acknowledge responsibility for harm: the U.S. could take an independent initiative to acknowledge some degree of responsibility for harm in Gaza/West Bank or the region more generally; and work with the Iranians and Israelis to publicly acknowledge some degree of responsibility for harm such as Iran acknowledging its role in enabling violent actions by Hamas/Hezbollah and Israel acknowledging the harm of killing children in Gaza. This will start to shift the tone and dynamic away from hatred, blame, and tit-for-tat destruction.
3) Re-humanize all parties by speaking in terms of our shared humanity, common journey, as well as needs for security and respect.
4) Call for and model the pulling back of some degree of weapons in the region.
These are some immediate options to consider. There are correlated longer-term actions that would also help to get to root causes, unmet needs, and a more sustainable just peace.