Former Biden Aides Launch Lobbying Group to Shift Middle East Policy

Josh Paul, a veteran of the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, and Tariq Habash, a former policy adviser at the Education Department, are positioning their new venture, A New Policy, as a counterweight to current government strategy. The founders argue that U.S. involvement in the region has compromised national security and global credibility while exacerbating human suffering. The organization’s board includes former U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford and executive Jaleh Bisharat.

Shifting the Political Landscape

The group focuses on three core pillars: aligning foreign policy with national interests, upholding human rights, and ensuring compliance with international law regarding arms transfers. While the launch arrives just weeks before the presidential contest between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, the organizers maintain their project is designed for long-term influence rather than immediate electoral gain. They contend that elected officials have failed to reflect a significant shift in public opinion toward ending the transfer of lethal weapons used in Gaza and Lebanon. As of mid-October, the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 42,400 people, fueling ongoing international legal scrutiny and domestic pressure for a fundamental change in Washington's approach.