'Kinetic elimination does not work': US envoy breaks with Netanyahu doctrine

The United States, through its Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria, Thomas Barrack, has delivered a clear message to Israel: its kinetic approach is not working. Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Barrack stated that President Trump believes Israel was wrong in its strategy, a significant departure from previous US administrations' stances. This declaration follows a fragile 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon and Barrack's own diplomatic engagements, including a meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

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The brilliance of what happened yesterday is it stopped senseless killing, and President Trump and Secretary Rubio stepping in strongly and saying we need a time out.

Barrack articulated the new US doctrine, emphasizing the success of the recent ceasefire in stopping 'senseless killing.' He highlighted President Trump and Secretary Rubio's role in calling for a 'time out,' framing the current ceasefires as delicate but essential first steps. This approach contrasts sharply with the previous administration's policy, which Barrack identified as a key factor in the failure of the 2024 Israel-Lebanon ceasefire. He specifically criticized the 'self-defense clause' that allowed Israel unilateral strikes, a mechanism that ultimately reignited the conflict.

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This is just the beginning of a road, and the ceasefires are so delicate because everybody’s been equally untrustworthy.

From our perspective at The Media Line, this signals a potential recalibration of US engagement in the region, moving away from unconditional support for Israeli military actions towards a more diplomatic and de-escalatory approach. The emphasis on 'kinetic elimination does not work' is a direct challenge to the Netanyahu doctrine and suggests a willingness by the Trump administration to pressure Israel into reconsidering its military strategies. The inclusion of Syria's President al-Sharaa in these diplomatic maneuvers further underscores the broader regional scope of US policy shifts. This new American posture, prioritizing pauses and negotiations, is a critical development that warrants close observation as it unfolds.

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kinetic elimination does not work