US President Joe Biden’s trip to Kyiv this year was in some ways more dangerous than the Israel trip because Russia has a far more sophisticated military than Hamas.Credit:AP
Biden’s visit comes as Israel is expected to launch a ground invasion that it says is an effort to destroy Hamas,potentially setting off one of the worst conflicts in the region in decades. US officials are deeply concerned that the war could spread and draw in such actors as Hezbollah or Iran.
Biden has stressed his ironclad support for Israel since the Hamas attacks,but in recent days,he has sought to strike a more delicate balance between support for Israel’s right to self-defence and concern about civilians in Gaza,where conditions have rapidly deteriorated.
Despite the combustible conditions,the United States has the benefit of Israeli intelligence and air defence capabilities in helping to protect Biden,experts said. Still,that intelligence conspicuously fell short in detecting the Hamas attacks.
Experts said Biden’s trip to Kyiv this year was in some ways more dangerous than the Israel trip because Russia has a far more sophisticated military than Hamas. Although Hamas is arguably a far more unpredictable entity,its militants are unlikely to have the technology or prowess to launch a targeted attack against an American president.
“In terms of threats and risks,Hamas and their capabilities pale in comparison to the Russian military,” Lord said.
For the Kyiv trip,White House officials did not disclose Biden’s whereabouts until he had safely entered the city. In contrast,the president’s trip to Tel Aviv was publicly announced by Blinken on Monday.