Israel has seen arms embargoes before
But this time it will struggle without American military support
On may 8th President Joe Biden confirmed that his administration would withhold shipments of certain kinds of bombs if Israel extends its invasion of Rafah, Hamas’s last main stronghold in Gaza, where over a million civilians have taken shelter.
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This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline “A familiar problem”
From the May 18th 2024 edition
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Hamas’s pick of Yahya Sinwar as leader makes a ceasefire less likely
The appointment of the architect of October 7th ties the group closer to Iran
The Middle East braces for wider war as Iran weighs its response
After Israeli strikes, America is rushing troops to the region and airlines are steering clear
Ethiopia is in the midst of a kidnapping epidemic
As the government hails a new IMF deal, lawlessness is spreading
Somaliland’s camel herders are milking it
Commercial dairies are scaling up an old trade
Will Hamas turn from war to politics?
The assassination of its political leader poses a string of dilemmas
Israeli strikes on Beirut and Tehran could intensify a regional war
At the very least, they will delay talks over a ceasefire in Gaza