What's Going On in the Region?

President Biden is on a high-stakes visit to try to keep a war from spreading in the Middle East. Here are some of the key actors and countries in the region to keep on watch...

Hezbollah…is a militant group and political force based in Lebanon. The group has been labeled a terrorist organization by multiple countries, including the US, and is backed by Iran. Israeli officials believe Hezbollah is a major threat, and the two were at war for a month in 2006. In recent days, Israeli forces have been clashing with Hezbollah fighters along the Lebanon-Israel border. So far, military exchanges have been limited, but there have been a number of casualties, including one journalist.

Iran…financially and militarily supports a number of militant groups in the region, including Hamas — which launched the deadly terrorist attack in Israel on October 7th — as well as Hezbollah. Despite denying involvement in the attack, Iran has warned the Israel-Hamas war could soon widen. Earlier this week, Iran’s foreign minister said that regional militias (like Hezbollah) are ready to take “pre-emptive action” should the conflict in Gaza escalate.

Saudi Arabia…and Israel were about to hold historic negotiations. Saudi Arabia had signaled it would recognize Israel, paving the way for other Arab states to do the same. Hamas’s attack, and the subsequent fallout, has complicated that. Now, the country paused all talks until further notice — and said they would not resume until concessions for Palestinians are prioritized. Like other leaders in the region, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has called for a deescalation amid concerns that the war could spread beyond Israel and Gaza.

Egypt…shares a border with Gaza (the Rafah crossing). The country backs Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip. While Egypt has supported humanitarian aid into Gaza through Rafah, it recently claimed Israel was refusing to cooperate with aid deliveries and evacuations. As Israeli airstrikes keep pounding Southern Gaza, many Palestinians and hundreds of tons of supplies are stuck at the Rafah crossing. Egypt has also remained wary of taking in Palestinian refugees. 

Jordan…shares a border with Israel and the West Bank. And has worked to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza since the conflict began. However, like Egypt, Jordan refuses to take in Palestinian refugees out of fears that the move could destabilize the country. Jordan already has the largest number of Palestinian refugees outside of Palestinian territories. The country’s seen protests in support of Hamas and Gazans, following the October 7th terror attack and the explosion at al-Ahli Hospital. 

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