Harris sits with Biden in crisis briefing

Vice President Kamala Harris sat alongside President Joe Biden in the Situation Room on Monday evening. The Biden administration was about to be briefed on growing tensions in the Middle East. For ten months, Harris has been deeply involved in managing the war in Gaza and the wider regional fallout.

The first major decision a party nominee makes is their choice for Vice President. And Kamala Harris has made a great decision in choosing Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate.

I've known Tim Walz for nearly two decades, first during his time in Congress and as Governor. A…

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 6, 2024

Her role has given her a front-row seat to the complexities and challenges of Middle East diplomacy.

Rep. Ritchie Torres, one of the most vocally pro-Israel Democrats in Congress, praises Harris for picking Walz: pic.twitter.com/tC8Q2AAoQh

— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) August 6, 2024

On Monday, Harris was part of a call during which President Biden expressed frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Biden’s angry outburst came after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader. Many believe this collapsed a potential ceasefire deal and reignited conflict in Gaza.

If Walz gets picked as Harris’ VP, he will have his former House colleagues to thank in part.

“A lot of members really like Tim, myself included, and have made that known to the campaign,” a senior House Democrat tells @Axios

— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) August 5, 2024

Brett Bruen, a former U.S. Foreign Service officer, noted the advantage Harris has gained from her close involvement in these high-stakes negotiations. Unlike other political figures who might posture on national security, Harris has had to make real-time decisions in the Situation Room. If Harris defeats Donald Trump in the upcoming election, she will inherit a volatile situation. The Middle East is bracing for a possible full-scale regional war.

Biden’s frustrations and Harris’ diplomacy

U.S. officials warn that Iran could retaliate for Israeli actions at any moment. Previous Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets have led to severe responses. Harris has already distinguished her stance from Biden’s in several ways. She has spoken out more forcefully about Palestinian suffering, describing the devastation in Gaza as “devastating.” She asserted that she “will not be silent.” Moreover, she skipped Netanyahu’s controversial speech to Congress. Matt Duss, vice president of the Center for International Policy, praised Harris for her more balanced approach to the humanitarian crisis. While she hasn’t laid out specific policy changes, her rhetoric suggests a shift toward greater consideration of Palestinian rights. The choice of her running mate could also signal how Harris would handle the Israel-Palestine conflict. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has been a contentious figure, with pro-Palestinian activists labeling him “Genocide Josh” due to his support for the Gaza war. In contrast, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has shown a more nuanced position. As the election approaches, the ongoing Middle East tensions could prove a significant challenge for Harris. If the U.S. engages Iran militarily, Harris may find herself spending less time on the campaign trail and more in the Situation Room. The crisis has the potential to overshadow her administration and complicate her vision for a Harris presidency.