‘Democracy worldwide is a target,’ expert says after Israel attacks

SALT LAKE CITY – According to NewsNation, National Security Contributor Richard Newton said the Hamas attack on Israel signifies a challenging time for democracy around the world. 

“The reality of that assault against [Israel, is that there] really are consequences for U.S. national security,” Newton told KSL NewsRadio. 




Newton said that terrorists often target democracies to instill fear in a larger population.  The Brookings Institution said that fear created by acts of terrorism can distort public debate, polarize societies, and empower political extremes. 

Israel, a parliamentary democracy, is the United States’s closest ally in the Middle East. Newton said that the attack on such a close ally demonstrates how dangerous the world is becoming. 

“Israel, obviously on the front line in that regard, but … democracy worldwide is a target,” said Newton.

The attack has implications beyond the current events in Gaza. 

The United States has forces from the Navy and Army positioned in the Middle East. Since the attack, the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group has been sent toward the region. Newton said there have also been numerous aircraft repositioned to the area by the Air Force. 

The U.S. Department of Defense said it is “surging support to Israel … Including air defense capabilities and munitions.” 

Protecting democracy

Newton said the repositioning of forces and equipment does not necessarily mean the U.S. will strike. 

It tells the rest of the world the U.S. will stand by its allies, Newton said. It also tells adversaries that if they choose to do harm to national security, the U.S. will send more capability into the area. 

Sending more capability into the area is meant to dissuade adversaries from attacking. Should they attack, Newton said, the U.S. wants to make sure it has the ability to defeat them. 

Related reading:

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• Biden decries the ‘unconscionable’ Hamas attack and warns Israel’s enemies not to exploit the crisis