‘Half measures’ aren’t working in Gaza, says Trump’s former deputy defence secretary.

We spoke to Elbridge Colby, who was deputy assistant secretary of defence under President Trump.

We began by asking if he were to become national security adviser, if Donald Trump won the election, what might he advise on the war in Gaza.

Elbridge Colby: I’d be honoured to serve if asked, in whatever capacity I could make a difference. But I think the perspective I hear a lot more from President Trump is working with our allies and partners. No matter really often in the case, for instance, of Islamic monarchies or Islamic-affiliated monarchies, no matter if their style of governance matches our own. But if their interests are aligned and having a realistic approach, putting more pressure on the Iranians through things like economic sanctions and their proxy groups.

Cathy Newman: So very much sort of standing back, because we haven’t seen Donald Trump say a lot about the Gazan war. Is his theory, his view really, that this is something that’s going on a long way from America, we should just withdraw a little bit?

Elbridge Colby: My own view is these contests have been going on for a while. I don’t think there’s any question that it’s a human tragedy what’s happening in Gaza. But of course, it was Hamas that began this conflict by killing 1,200 Jews back in October. I think the view of many of us is it would be better if there could be a more decisive approach that did go after Hamas, certainly its military elements that are still outstanding, and not sort of go for half measures that, in a similar way is happening in Ukraine, where you get a sort of unhappy median result.

Cathy Newman: When you look at what’s happening on the ground in Gaza, though, that doesn’t look like half measures. That looks like an obliteration.

Elbridge Colby: Look, I think it’s a war, obviously. You also have to look back at what happened in October and the fact that Hamas precipitated a war and is hiding among the civilian population.

Cathy Newman: And when it comes to Ukraine, Donald Trump has made some pretty extravagant boasts about what he might be able to achieve there in the first 24 hours of becoming president. Looking at his running mate JD Vance as well, he has been quite vocal about withdrawing support to Ukraine. Is that inevitable now, if Donald Trump takes office?

Elbridge Colby: Again, I don’t speak for them, but a couple points. First, I certainly support the idea of making peace and a negotiated peace in the case of Ukraine. And you know who else does? Well, the Biden administration’s official policy is that the war will end through negotiation. So President Trump seems to be just explicating something that has remained latent, even as a war has gone on for two and a half years without a foreseeable end at this point. So much better to reconcile and be clear with our European allies, as well as with the Ukrainians, about what we can realistically supply. The Europeans need to step up.

Cathy Newman: Wouldn’t China look at what America, in your view, should do in Ukraine and pull back support, and China might see that as weakness?

Elbridge Colby: The main thing the Chinese are looking at, in fact, the Chinese are behaving as I would fear, which is that they’re kind of bleeding us out, basically, and refocusing us on Europe and the Middle East, much to their advantage even as they prepare for conflict. So the most important thing that we should do is as Senator Vance has said, focus our scarce resources in the Asia Pacific theatre.

Cathy Newman: So let the Europeans focus on Ukraine while you handle China.

Elbridge Colby: Basically. I think we could still be involved in Europe and still remain committed to Nato, that’s my view. But in a more focussed and sort of moderate way.

Cathy Newman: Do you think whoever’s in the White House is going to face, or do you fear that they’re going to face, war with China in the next four years?

Elbridge Colby: Nobody knows. Anybody who’s telling you they know what’s going to happen is not credible. What we do know and what the Biden sector of the Air Force says, is they are preparing for war. So it’s only prudent to assume that, and the best way to avoid that is from a position of strength, while also being prepared to come to a modus vivendi with Beijing.