America’s Lloyd Austin, Who Stared ‘Evil in the Eye’ While Commanding GIs Against ISIS, Emerges as a Powerful Ally of Israel in the War Against Hamas

The defense secretary’s clarity could go a long way toward muzzling the growing international criticism of Israel as ground operations begin in Gaza.

AP/Lolita Baldor
The U.S. defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, right, is greeted by Israel’s minister of defense, Yoav Gallant, October 13, 2023, at Tel Aviv. AP/Lolita Baldor

When, even as Israeli special forces are entering Gaza in preparation for a massive invasion,  a top official says that Hamas is worse than ISIS, what jumps out is the identity of the speaker: In this case it’s the U.S. defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, who has devised much of America’s war on ISIS, and he knows the pitfalls of battling terrorism. 

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