Blinken's Mideast Tour: Tepid Support, Talks in Turkey, and a Mission Impossible

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded his Middle East diplomatic tour with limited success in garnering support for "humanitarian pauses" in the Gaza conflict. Blinken's efforts to ease civilian suffering and provide humanitarian aid were met with tepid, if any, support from Israel and Arab nations. While Israel rejected the idea of pauses, Arab and Muslim nations called for an immediate cease-fire. The Biden administration is urging Israel to protect non-combatants and increase humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza. The international opinion appears to be turning against Israel as images of death and destruction in Gaza spread worldwide. Blinken will now head to Asia, where the Gaza conflict will be a key topic of discussion alongside other international crises.