Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Israel-Iran
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Israel-Hamas / America should avoid the worst in Gaza
Israel‑Hamas, Middle East

June 14, 2025

America should avoid the worst in Gaza

By William Walldorf

The Trump administration wants to pivot U.S. military assets away from the Middle East to Asia. That’s good. But, without a major course correction on Gaza (which appears nowhere in sight), that pivot won’t happen. Even if a new ceasefire emerges, Trump has gone all in on an Israeli occupation of Gaza that experts argue, and history shows, will bog down Israel and, in turn, bog down the United States in the Middle East given the U.S. role as Israel’s main security guarantor.

Given this reality, the big question now is how does the United States limit the damage to its own security interests in Gaza going forward? The answer: avoid getting sucked directly into the conflict.

That starts by turning aside two bad proposals—U.S. roles as caretaker in Gaza and major benefactor for Israel’s new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)—currently being debated inside the Trump administration. Both roles are a slippery slope for the United States to land in yet another forever war in the Middle East, further detracting from bigger U.S. challenges elsewhere. Trump needs to reject these ideas to keep America out of war in Gaza.

Read at The Critic

Author

Photo of Will Walldorf

William
Walldorf

Senior Fellow

Defense Priorities

More on Middle East

In the mediaIsrael‑Iran, Iran, Israel, Middle East

U.S. used about a quarter of its high-end missile interceptors in Israel-Iran war, exposing supply gap

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

August 28, 2025

In the mediaMiddle East, Israel

Has Gaza tested the limits of Donald Trump’s support for Benjamin Netanyahu?

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

July 30, 2025

op-edIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Middle East

What does Trump really want in Gaza?

By Daniel DePetris

July 30, 2025

In the mediaIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Middle East

Why Trump has little interest in delivering a ceasefire in Gaza

Featuring Rosemary Kelanic

July 30, 2025

op-edGrand strategy, Military analysis

America needs to take better care of its military

By Dan Caldwell

July 28, 2025

op-edGrand strategy, Iran, Israel, Middle East

There are no more reasons for U.S. presence in Middle East

By William Walldorf

July 28, 2025

Events on Israel-Hamas

See All Events
virtualMiddle East, Basing and force posture, Diplomacy, Houthis, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Israel‑Hamas, Military analysis, Syria

Past Virtual Event: Trump in the Middle East: Impacts, implications, and alternatives

May 16, 2025
virtualHouthis, Iran, Israel‑Hamas, Middle East, Yemen

Past Virtual Event: Houthi conundrum: defend, degrade, or defer

March 28, 2024
virtualMiddle East, Iran, Israel‑Hamas, Israel‑Iran, Syria, Yemen

Past Virtual Event: Keeping the U.S. out of war in the Middle East

January 16, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved