Fact Check: Israel will drag the U.S. into it if regional war comes.

Fact Check: "Israel will drag the U.S. into it if regional war comes."

What We Know

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has raised concerns about the potential for a wider regional war, particularly involving Iran and Hezbollah. According to a recent analysis by Gary Samore, a Middle East expert, the greatest danger lies in an Israeli invasion of Gaza, which could provoke Hezbollah to engage more actively in the conflict. This escalation could lead to a situation where the United States might feel compelled to intervene militarily, especially if Hezbollah attacks Israeli cities in retaliation for Israeli actions in Gaza (Brandeis Stories).

The U.S. has already taken steps to reinforce its military presence in the region, deploying additional forces to deter any escalation. President Biden has explicitly warned against the expansion of the conflict, indicating that U.S. intervention could become more likely if a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah were to occur (Brandeis Stories).

Analysis

The claim that "Israel will drag the U.S. into it if regional war comes" is nuanced. While it is true that an escalation involving Hezbollah could lead to U.S. intervention, the current evidence suggests that both Hezbollah and Iran are cautious about entering a full-scale conflict. Samore notes that Hezbollah has so far limited its attacks to avoid provoking a significant Israeli retaliation, which indicates a strategic choice to avoid escalation (Brandeis Stories).

Moreover, the U.S. has historically been involved in Middle Eastern conflicts, often supporting Israel, but it also seeks to avoid direct military engagement unless absolutely necessary. The Biden administration's deployment of military assets to the region serves as a deterrent rather than a direct indication of imminent U.S. involvement in a broader conflict (NPR, CNN).

The potential for miscalculation remains a significant risk; if Hezbollah were to retaliate against Israeli actions, it could trigger a cycle of escalation that might draw the U.S. in. However, this does not imply a deliberate intention by Israel to involve the U.S. in a conflict, but rather a reaction to the dynamics of the situation (Brandeis Stories, NIAC).

Conclusion

The claim that "Israel will drag the U.S. into it if regional war comes" is Partially True. While there is a credible risk that U.S. involvement could occur if the conflict escalates, particularly with Hezbollah's potential engagement, it is not accurate to say that Israel has a direct intention to involve the U.S. The situation is complex, with both Hezbollah and Iran currently showing restraint to avoid a wider war, indicating that any U.S. involvement would likely be a reaction to escalatory actions rather than a premeditated plan by Israel.