As we pass the first anniversary of the horrific October 7 attack by Hamas, where roughly 1,200 Israelis were killed, thousands more wounded, and 251 hostages were taken—12 of whom were American citizens—the need for decisive U.S. foreign policy intervention has never been more straightforward or more desperately needed. Astonishingly, despite the taking of these American citizens, nothing was done to secure their release. It’s as though these individuals were forgotten, left to die on the battlefield. Today, 101 hostagesa remain, with no hope in sight of their return to their families. The U.S. government’s inaction in these cases highlights a failure to protect its citizens, which only exacerbates the severity of the situation.

I make this call today because I am the author of the book The Spirit of a True Patriot and have seen firsthand the atrocities of war and the destruction it causes. In conflict, it is not the soldiers with access to intelligence, equipment, and weaponry who suffer the most; instead, it is the women, children, and elderly—those who do not have such protections—who bear the most significant burden. My goal is that the nation of Israel will be allowed to live and prosper in peace, free from terrorist attacks, with the full support of the United States and its allies. I also hope that the Palestinians will be allowed to return to their homes and rebuild with a stable, democratically elected government that acknowledges the state of Israel.

The United States, as a foremost leader on the global stage, must reflect on the theoretical framework of its foreign policy and rescale its strategy to alleviate the suffering propagated by this conflict. This requires acknowledging the duality in our foreign policy approach, where we balance support for Israel’s right to defend itself with efforts to mitigate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. While there has been conjecture about what could have been done, the time has come to minimize future tension and contribute to a transformative impact in the region. We must also recognize that we have elected the leaders propagating these gravely failed foreign policy decisions, many of which have been vigorously botched and caused immense human suffering worldwide. Just four years ago, we had global peace, and the United States was seen as a powerhouse that exuded tranquility, peace, and prosperity for its allies. Today, it feels as though the world is a hotbed of turmoil, with the globe on the verge of World War III.

The asymmetry of power and suffering in this war are starkly apparent. The Israeli government and its citizens grapple with the nefarious behavior of Hamas and other Iranian-backed militant groups. According to news reports, Prime Minister Netanyahu has stated that Israel is now fighting on seven fronts, including Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria. The pernicious nature of this conflict is further exacerbated by Iran’s role, which is substantiated by documented evidence of ballistic missiles launched by Tehran-backed forces, leading to voluminous destruction across the region with no hope in sight.

The United States has imposed bans and sanctions on Iran that include an economic embargo, a prohibition on companies doing business with the nation, a ban on all Iranian-origin imports, and the severe constriction of Iranian financial institutions. However, the damage has already been done, and the money has already been released and divided into the tentacles of these terroristic nations that perpetrate atrocities around the globe against us and our allies. The veracity of these financial channels, which should have been a litmus test for our foreign policy’s robustness, instead became a paradox—allowing resources meant for peace to empower those who propagate terror.

It is intuitive that for any resolution to take hold, the United States must adopt a more dynamic approach, ensuring transparency in its alliances and strategies while recognizing the exogenous factors that shape the conflict. The first step in endeavoring toward peace is to eschew the current tacit approval of Qatar harboring Hamas leaders. These leaders, with a combined net worth of $11 billion, epitomize the corruption that fuels this pernicious cycle of violence. At the same time, they live in comfort, starkly removed from the suffering of the Palestinian people they claim to represent. Qatar, our ally and host to the most extensive U.S. military base in the Middle East, must be pressured to remove these individuals and distance itself from supporting terrorist regimes. This is a significant accomplishment the U.S. can achieve by improving transparency and ensuring consistency in its foreign alliances.

Secondly, the facts surrounding the release of $6 billion to Iran must be addressed. Our leaders must be held accountable. Our nation elected these politicians to seek our interests, yet our resources were squandered and used against us. Though this money was theoretically intended for humanitarian purposes, it is necessary to recognize the documented findings that suggest these funds were misused to fund further terrorist actions. A firm reimposing sanctions on Iran, limiting their financial contributions to Hamas, and cutting off their pernicious influence will be a pivotal move in U.S. foreign policy. This is not merely a punitive measure but one aimed at constricting Iran’s ability to propagate violence across the region.

However, mitigating the situation will also require addressing the human suffering within Gaza. Rescaling humanitarian aid, which should be overtly coordinated with regional Middle Eastern nations, is vital. While the U.S. does not need to bear the financial burden alone, it can spearhead efforts to ensure that nations advocating for Palestinians contribute to restoring stability. The succession of violence and ostracism that plague the region can only be disrupted through collective, balanced efforts from the international community. Aid must be distributed in a manner that eschews Hamas leadership and instead supports the civilian population.

Ultimately, the U.S. must also support the formation of a Palestinian government grounded in democratic principles—one that recognizes Israel’s right to exist. This recognition is quintessential for any lasting peace. The inertia of leadership that refuses to engage in peace talks and instead believes violence is an untenable path forward must be addressed. We argue that peace can only be achieved through transformative dialogue, whereby both parties accept each other’s right to exist. But when we talk about negotiations, we must ask ourselves: Why are we even considering negotiating with terrorists? These leaders have taken hostages and are holding innocent lives to achieve their insane demands.

U.S. foreign policy’s theoretical framework must shift from reactive measures to proactive, strength-based diplomacy. When the United States operates from a position of strength, it not only enhances its global standing but also sends a clear message: injustice, terroristic regimes, and human suffering will not be tolerated. This approach is quintessential to America’s role as a global proponent of peace.

In conclusion, the U.S. has the capacity and responsibility to take significant action. By pressing Qatar to sever ties with Hamas leaders, cutting off Iran’s financial streams, facilitating humanitarian aid, and supporting the establishment of a democratic Palestinian government, the U.S. can starkly improve the chances of peace. Our contributions today will have a transformative impact, alleviating suffering and paving the way for a more peaceful future in the Middle East. Israel deserves to live in peace, recognized as a sovereign nation, without the perpetual threat of terroristic violence.

As a nation, we must support that peace, and we must hold our elected leaders accountable for ensuring that these opportunities are not botched through inaction or poor decision-making. It is no longer just about what has happened but about what we can do now to ensure a peaceful and stable future. A call has been made, so what are we as Americans going to do to hold our leaders accountable and answer that call by electing a government that will support our interests around the world and keep our nation safe, strong, and secure while simultaneously ending this conflict in Gaza that puts us at the edge of World War III?

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Douglas Ernest, author of The Spirit of a True Patriot: The Inspiring Story of Ret. Captain Douglas J. Ernest, is a U.S. Army war veteran and entrepreneur.