Biden and Blinken - Foreign Policy Morons
I guess if you didn’t learn anything from the horrendous incompetent evacuation from the Kabul Airport and Afghanistan, you might have a chance to do it all over again. I was shocked to hear that there are still 80,000 American citizens in Lebanon amid rising tensions, the US Navy stationed off the coast, Israel preparing to bomb Iran, and who knows what else. The potential here for Americans killed or taken hostage is off the chart. Biden, Blinken, and Harris are not paying attention to the point that Gretchen Whitmer has just called them out publicly requesting emergency evacuation flights.
On September 28, the Department of State ordered the departure of non-mission-employed eligible family members (EFMs) and authorized departure for mission-employed EFMs and non-essential U.S. direct hire (USDH) employees. While the embassy remains operational, its functions are significantly constrained due to the volatile security situation in Lebanon. U.S. citizens in the country are advised to be aware of these limitations and to follow the embassy's guidance regarding travel and safety precautions.
Since September 23, 2024, all international airlines have suspended their services to Lebanon, leaving MEA as the only operator at Beirut's international airport. Middle East Airlines (MEA) is the primary carrier still operating in Lebanon. As the national flag carrier of Lebanon, MEA continues to provide approximately 30 flights daily to various destinations in Europe and the Middle East from Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport
Border crossings: it's likely that any land evacuation routes would involve crossing into neighboring countries such as Syria or possibly Jordan, though these options may be limited due to geopolitical tensions and security concerns. Turkey has finalized preparations for potential evacuation operations from Lebanon, which include both sea and land routes. However, specific details of these land routes are not provided. The ongoing conflict and Israeli airstrikes have made travel within Lebanon risky, particularly in the southern regions and areas near the Israeli border. Various countries are working on evacuation plans, but most seem to be prioritizing air travel or sea routes rather than land routes.
Lebanon is landlocked by Syria. Diplomatic relations between Syria and the United States have been non-existent since 2012, following the onset of the Syrian Civil War. The U.S. has imposed various sanctions on Syria, labeling it a "State Sponsor of Terrorism" since 1979 due to its support for groups like Hezbollah and its involvement in regional conflicts. There is currently no widespread evacuation of American citizens through Syria. However, the situation is complex and evolving. Recent reports indicate that the U.S. military has evacuated several forward operating bases in Syria due to increased attacks from Iranian-backed forces. This evacuation is primarily related to military personnel rather than civilians.
The conditions all over the Middle East could very quickly become untenable creating another diplomatic disaster for the U.S. and its citizens. This can all be traced back to Biden’s policy of accommodation and appeasement with Iran.