This was a serious attack by Iran. At the same time, Israel expected something like this to happen, so they were prepared, said Ben Hodges, former commander of U.S. Forces in Europe. In an interview with TVN24 BiS, he commented on the situation in the Middle East and Jerusalem's possible response to Tuesday's attack. He also referred to the war in Ukraine.
Retired General Ben Hodges – former commander of the US Army in Europe, who took part in the Warsaw Security Forum – talked to Jan Niedziałek from TVN24 BiS on Wednesday. He was asked, among other things, about tensions in the Middle East. In response to the killing of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders Iran fired approximately 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday. Israel announced retaliation.
According to the former army commander USA in Europe “Israel responded to (previous) Hezbollah attacks very effectively.” – So Iran naturally felt compelled to attack, which they did much more forcefully last night than they did earlier in April. Despite this, I don't think this attack was terribly effective, he said.
He pointed out that Israeli and allied forces managed to “shoot down most of the Iranian missiles.” – Nevertheless, it was not a pro forma attack. This was a completely serious attack by Iran. “I think Israel expected something like this to happen, that's why they were prepared,” he said.
– What will they do next? I expect they will strike significant targets inside Iran when ready. “I don't know how, when, what it might look like, (but) it's definitely not over,” Hodges added, emphasizing that he “doesn't think it's going to get out of hand.”
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“I don't know what the Israeli government has set as a goal, what their real intention is.”
The TVN24 BiS interlocutor was also asked about Jerusalem's plans. “I don't know what the Israeli government has set as a goal, what their real intention is,” he admitted.
– Israel is currently fighting (also) against Hezbollah. I don't know if we'll see a large-scale ground operation in the area Lebanon – he said. – I expect they will continue to launch targeted strikes against Hezbollah. I don't know if they want or need to do something bigger, said the military man.
He noted that in the meantime, Israeli forces are also fighting in the Gaza Strip against Hamas. – It has now become a slightly lower intensity, but there are still a hundred hostages – he noted. – Oh, and one more thing Houthis. The Houthis, who are not only attacking ships in the Red Sea, but are also starting to attack Israel, he explained. He stated that “Israel is fighting against three different opponents, plus Iran.”
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According to Hodges, “stability in the region will come if the people of Iran finally tire and will get rid of the ayatollah regimebut it depends on the Iranians themselves.” – The Ayatollahs are not interested in stabilizing this region in the slightest – he said.
The TVN24 BiS interlocutor pointed out that stabilization also depends on Israel. – Unfortunately, the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says: the two-state solution is dead. He even boasted that he killed them himself. Until Israel is willing to pursue a two-state solution, so that the Palestinians also have a say in it, I am afraid there will never be real stability, he said.
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What will help Ukraine?
Another thread of conversation was war in Ukraine. General Hodges was asked whether he believed Kiev could receive the green light to strike targets on Russian territory with the help of equipment provided by allies.
– The most important thing that should happen is that the US government and the government German they said: it is in our interest, our strategic interest, for Ukraine to defeat Russia. And that is why we will give them everything they need to defeat Russia, he said.
– Not this nonsense about us being with you as long as it takes. It doesn't mean anything, no one believes it. But to say: we want you to win and we will give you what you need to win? This would be a huge step forward that would help Ukraine actually defeat Russia, which would benefit all of Europe, he said.
He also admitted that he “doesn't see it”, and certainly not at the end of his presidency Joe Biden. He emphasized that Biden “has done a lot” for Ukraine. – Fifty countries that support Ukraine is a lot – the Kremlin certainly did not expect such a coalition – but I don't think (Joe Biden) would dare to take another step. To finish this off. So we have to wait until the US elections, he said.
General Hodges on what allies should do for UkraineTVN24
And to what extent will the vote result be important for further US actions towards Ukraine?
According to Hodges, if he wins Kamala Harris“we will see at least the same, perhaps more” in the context of support for Kiev. – If it's the administration Donald Trumpthen a little less – he said. – I wouldn't have particularly high hopes that the Trump administration would do much to help Ukraine in the long term. But I could be wrong. He is a completely unpredictable person and that is a big part of the problem with him, he said.
– But for Poland, Germany, Romania and other European countries, the threat (…) only increases if the US leaves – he said. – The problem will not disappear just because the US goes away. The truth is that it will only get worse, he said.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/PAGE