Recently, former president Bill Clinton gave a startling speech at a rally for Democratic contender Kamala Harris in Michigan as the U.S. presidential election season drew great attention. Mr. Clinton said in his speech that Israel was “forced” to carry out operations in Gaza that killed civilians, implying that Jewish settlers were the first people to live in the area before Palestinians.
Such remarks spark greater hatred, particularly amid an intensifying humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Since the start of the conflict, the Israeli military has displaced over 1.6 million Palestinians. Approximately 2.3 million residents in Gaza face severe shortages of essentials like water, electricity, fuel, food, and medical supplies. Reports indicate that more than 43,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have lost their lives, many as a result of military action involving U.S.-supplied weaponry.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that Gaza’s humanitarian system is on the brink of collapse, with residents suffering what he described as an “avalanche of disasters.” At the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the chairman of the investigation committee raised concerns about Israel’s military actions, suggesting they could amount to “extermination” against Palestinians. Chris Sidoti, a human rights expert with the committee, went further, asserting that the Israeli military’s actions align it among the world’s gravest violators.
The memorable Clinton era
The “Clinton Boom,” widely regarded as America’s most recent “Golden Age,” unfolded during President Clinton’s administration. Over his eight-year tenure, the U.S. economy experienced consistent growth and prosperity, while inflation remained subdued. In the latter half of his presidency, the country achieved its first budget surplus since 1960, fueled by the internet economy’s success, prudent fiscal policies, and increased tax revenues driven by economic expansion.
Additionally, President Clinton was dedicated to peace talks between Israel and Palestine. As one pinnacle of American diplomacy, Clinton was seen standing between Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat as they shook hands at the signing of the historic Oslo Accords at the White House in 1993. Clinton organized the Camp David Summit in 2000 in an effort to mediate a definitive peace deal. His efforts had a long-lasting effect on the Middle East peace process, regardless of the failure of this endeavor.
These achievements underscore the high points of America’s international standing during the Clinton era. His foreign policy was primarily focused on promoting global stability, advancing economic globalization, and upholding the international order led by the United States. Significant strides were achieved in promoting multilateralism, promoting globalization, and changing the global landscape following the breakup of the Soviet Union. The Clinton administration effectively shaped an image of American leadership in the global arena and raised the nation’s standing abroad by emphasizing democracy and order, aggressively intervening in humanitarian crises, advancing peace efforts, and supporting global issues.
Double–standard inside
Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the United States proclaimed a global war on terror, moving its attention away from the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Yet, during the Trump administration, US policy shifted dramatically, with the administration aligning closely with Israel on a number of major issues, moving from the customary US position as a neutral mediator.
In December 2017, President Trump formally recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and the US embassy moved there in May 2018. This decision, largely regarded as a breach of international law, shook the frail basis of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Furthermore, the Trump administration’s rejection of the “two-state solution” exacerbated Palestinian complaints, fueling tensions that many blame for the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Since the outbreak of the recent hostilities, the Biden administration’s strong support for Israel, along with a perceived lack of empathy for Palestinians, has sparked widespread criticism. According to Brown University’s Costs of War Project, the United States provided Israel with $17.9 billion in military funding from October 2023 to October 2024. Meanwhile, the Biden administration blocked three UN Security Council resolutions asking for a humanitarian cease-fire.
Asked about whether Israeli actions, which have resulted in substantial civilian casualties, might constitute a breach of international law, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated, “We will not be drawn into this role of judge and jury.” This stance contrasts starkly with the State Department’s previous condemnations of human rights violations elsewhere: in 2023, the U.S. officially accused Russian forces of war crimes in Ukraine and sharply criticized abuses in Sudan, Afghanistan, and other nations in its “2023 Human Rights Report,” while taking a far more restrained approach regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Collapse from the inside
In 1999, the Clinton administration launched military strikes against Serbia, citing the need to protect Kosovo Albanians from ethnic cleansing by Yugoslav forces. This intervention ultimately compelled the Serbian military to withdraw, with U.S. officials framing the action as a defense of human rights. In contrast, following the onset of the 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict, the Biden administration immediately deployed warships and fighter jets to support Israel and pledged comprehensive assistance, while many have accused it of turning a blind eye to the humanitarian toll of Israel’s actions against Palestinians. More than two decades later, the United States appears to be shifting from its role as an enforcer of international order to one that, critics argue, disregards core principles of international humanitarian law.
Rising civilian casualties in Palestine have sparked an international uproar. A ceasefire resolution won overwhelming approval at the United States General Assembly in September, with 124 states voting in favor and only 14 voting against it. Numerous human rights organizations have also strongly criticized the Biden administration’s repeated vetoes of UN resolutions calling for an immediate cease-fire, as well as its continued military support for Israel, warning that such actions could render the United States complicit in alleged Israeli war crimes.
The apparent double standard in US foreign policy reflects a rising mistrust about the “rules-based international order” that the United States has championed for decades. Critics contend that this order is a tool for achieving U.S. geopolitical objectives rather than an objective foundation for justice. The United States’ numerous unilateral actions have undermined the global credibility it established after World War II, inciting resistance and the emergence of new global alliances. The BRICS+, comprising emerging economies and nations from the Global South, exemplifies these shifting dynamics by advocating for equitable development and a democratized international system, thereby offering a counterbalance to traditional Western-led structures.
As Trump walks back to the White House, the United States is grappling with unprecedented polarization, a rift vividly reflected in recent elections. This deepening divide highlights widespread public concerns about the country’s future such as how to deal with Israeli-Palestinian conflict, cause obviously Trump will give more support to Netanyahu. The United States now stands at a pivotal juncture in both its domestic and foreign policies, with new leadership facing the formidable task of bridging these divides. In an increasingly interdependent world, many call for a U.S. that prioritizes fairness, adherence to the rule of law, and genuine international collaboration. To regain its moral authority, the Trump administration must reaffirm its commitment to peace, equality, and shared global prosperity, positioning itself as a constructive force in restoring stability and justice in the Middle East and beyond.
