On the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel, Joe Pags sat down with Robert Greenway, Director of the Allison Center for National Security at Heritage and a former Deputy Assistant to President Trump, to discuss the implications of the event and the current state of the region.
Greenway began by reflecting on the impact of the attack, noting that both Israel and the U.S. were caught off guard. “32 Americans were killed,” he said, highlighting how the Biden administration had deprioritized the threat from Palestinian terrorist groups. He warned that without addressing these deficiencies, the U.S. and its allies could face similar threats in the future.
Pags and Greenway explored the motivations behind the attack, with Greenway pointing to both Hamas and Iran. He explained that while the attack did not destroy Israel, it succeeded in provoking a response, which Hamas had hoped would lead to political and financial gains. Greenway added, “Iran set all of this in motion to distract from their nuclear program.”
The conversation also touched on international reactions, particularly calls for a ceasefire. Greenway was critical of these suggestions, explaining, “A ceasefire does nothing more than ensure that this will happen again.” He argued that total victory over Hamas is the only way to prevent future violence.
Greenway expressed concerns over the long-term stability of Gaza. He noted that re-educating the population is a “generational struggle” but insisted that dismantling Hamas is a necessary first step. However, regional partners like Jordan and Egypt have shown little interest in managing Gaza, making the path forward uncertain.
Finally, Greenway stressed the importance of addressing Iran’s influence in the region. He criticized the Biden administration for its handling of the situation, stating that without confronting Iran, long-term peace is unlikely. He urged for a more aggressive approach, similar to the strategy employed by the Trump administration.
Greenway concluded by emphasizing the need for decisive U.S. leadership, particularly in supporting Israel’s efforts to dismantle terrorist organizations.
To hear the full interview and dive deeper into Greenway’s insights on national security and the future of Israel, listen below.