In 1957, Israel surrendered hard-won gains for promises that dissolved when tested. The emerging order with the Islamic Republic of Iran bears an unsettling resemblance.
Too true. However, I am pretty sure that Israel is not planning on counting on any guarantees. Their eyes have been opened and hopefully they'll withstand the pressure and not make the same mistake again. Israel is much stronger today than 70 years ago, so they can do it.
Agreed. Hopefully Israel has learned the lesson very very well. I think they should keep assassinating people: heads of state and provinces; heads of Iranian Guard divisions; scientists. IF you don't have any scientists, you can't by definition have a nuclear program. I would think most of them would hightail it out of there. Assassinations are quiet and less in your face than full military acts. For example a helicopter goes down -- who knows. you did it or whether it was an accident. Anyway, if Israel was not included in the negotiations and didn't sign anything, I don't see why they should feel at all compelled to stand by the agreements.
“Never feeling comfortable with Vance” is an understatement. As soon as Trump sent Vance to Pakistan, then Switzerland, it was apparent TACO was about to surrender. Not just to Iran, who knew their demand of Vance as lead negotiator meant capitulation, but worse, capitulation to Tuckerland.
Israel will follow Zelensky’s playbook in Ukraine regarding dealing with its enemy Russia, a TACO Trump and recalcitrant Vance, standing up to the “dealmaker” in chief without giving him the finger he deserves. He can be kept in reserve while they pave their own way in Lebanon degrading Hezbollah like Ukraine is doing to Russia with superior technology, neutralizing superior manpower. Then, with victory on the way, Trump will shift sides and back a winner he can claim as his own which is his classic Narcissistic playbook.
Unfortunately, Israel does not have the backstop of The European Union to support them(quite the opposite) , only Marco Rubio and a Republican Congress which will likely disappear in November.
One thing is for certain. This 47 year war with Iran is not over, by a long-shot.
And one more thing. How dare he put our service men and women in harms way and then surrender in the cause of lower gas prices and the stock market. And those that lost their lives, also. Yeah right, “Help is on the way.” Shameful.
The problem with many politicians is that they can't see past their own legacies. I thought perhaps Trump was beyond that but clearly he is not. Alternatively, his view of his legacy is tainted. He would rather keep the masses of the great unwashed bus-people fat and happy, with their massive SUV's petrol tanks filled with $1/gallon fuel than actually create the peace and democratic (small d) world-order he promised. Many of us were short-sighted enough to think that Trump wasn't.
There is one real solution to this, and even Bibi doesn't have the intestinal fortitude to enact it. Israel must destroy the oil infrastructure of Iran, Qatar, and every other enemy, leaving the US (and its holdings in Venezuela) as the new master of energy. As well, the monetary holdings of her enemies, which exist mostly in cyberspace, need to magically disappear off the world's books.And while we're at it, anyone who posts Jew-hatred and marches in anti-Zionist protests needs to have his/her account wiped out.
It can be done. All of it. It is far more humane than the so-called Masada Plan. But of course, no one has the courage to do it.
Aside from a temporary reprieve from a nuclear bomb and world opinion that Israel is the villain in all this, it’s hard to see what Israel has gained. Very disappointing outcome, but we’ll see what happens after the 60 days are up.
Great essay, I agree with everything written. I also believe that Israel's future will be strong and bright. Hamas and Hizbollah are much degraded, Israel is armed and supplied for the present, and will now proceed to build its own arms industry.
Clinton guaranteed Ukraine for giving up their nuclear weapons. How'd that work out? We allied with the Kurds against Isis, till we didn't. Now we back Erdogan's Isis protegé in Syria and we kicked the Kurds to the curb. We would anyone trust us?
Trump is a lying backstabber. His belittlement of Israel and downplaying of its role is despicable and nothing unexpected from that narcissist who must always convince us he's the one deserving all the credit, he's the only one who can get the job done, whether true or not.
Israel had an equal or even greater role in the Iran war not only with its air force striking Iranian targets but by providing all of the intelligence. Instead of publicly thanking Israel and speaking of its significant role, he belittles it as he often feels he must belittle others to elevate himself. Really pathetic.
Just the same Trump came in and screwed up the war in Gaza because he wanted to be the one to take credit for releasing the hostages and creating "peace".
The idea that he can manage the Middle East better than the Israelis who live there with decades of experience and full understanding of its enemies, is a joke.
His narcissism is a clear and present danger to Israel and all of us.
And contrary to popular belief, as this essay reveals, the US government has never been an ally to Israel. It uses Israel and the weapons provided to Israel are merely for the purpose of having leverage over Israeli actions.
It's time for the Israelis to break this toxic relationship with Washington and produce its own fighter jets and whatever else it receives from the Pentagon. They are more than capable of doing so.
Only then, will Israel have freedom of action to defend itself.
A timely reminder that the State of Israel has fair weather allies who , not for the first time, have dropped any pretence to having any commitment beyond their own interests, which as soon as the wind blows the other way can no more be trusted than any of our long term enemies. There is no magic wand to change these facts and fundamental changes will take a generation to resolve.
European and American political actions, and UNSC as well as ICJ decisions prove over and over again that treaties, founding charters, and international laws are "a scrap of paper."
let's see, countries honoring their promises, like US with Kyoto; like US with JCPOA; like US, Russia, and UK honoring the sovereignty of Ukraine; or Hamas a cease fire
Too true. However, I am pretty sure that Israel is not planning on counting on any guarantees. Their eyes have been opened and hopefully they'll withstand the pressure and not make the same mistake again. Israel is much stronger today than 70 years ago, so they can do it.
Agreed. Hopefully Israel has learned the lesson very very well. I think they should keep assassinating people: heads of state and provinces; heads of Iranian Guard divisions; scientists. IF you don't have any scientists, you can't by definition have a nuclear program. I would think most of them would hightail it out of there. Assassinations are quiet and less in your face than full military acts. For example a helicopter goes down -- who knows. you did it or whether it was an accident. Anyway, if Israel was not included in the negotiations and didn't sign anything, I don't see why they should feel at all compelled to stand by the agreements.
“Never feeling comfortable with Vance” is an understatement. As soon as Trump sent Vance to Pakistan, then Switzerland, it was apparent TACO was about to surrender. Not just to Iran, who knew their demand of Vance as lead negotiator meant capitulation, but worse, capitulation to Tuckerland.
Israel will follow Zelensky’s playbook in Ukraine regarding dealing with its enemy Russia, a TACO Trump and recalcitrant Vance, standing up to the “dealmaker” in chief without giving him the finger he deserves. He can be kept in reserve while they pave their own way in Lebanon degrading Hezbollah like Ukraine is doing to Russia with superior technology, neutralizing superior manpower. Then, with victory on the way, Trump will shift sides and back a winner he can claim as his own which is his classic Narcissistic playbook.
Unfortunately, Israel does not have the backstop of The European Union to support them(quite the opposite) , only Marco Rubio and a Republican Congress which will likely disappear in November.
One thing is for certain. This 47 year war with Iran is not over, by a long-shot.
And one more thing. How dare he put our service men and women in harms way and then surrender in the cause of lower gas prices and the stock market. And those that lost their lives, also. Yeah right, “Help is on the way.” Shameful.
The problem with many politicians is that they can't see past their own legacies. I thought perhaps Trump was beyond that but clearly he is not. Alternatively, his view of his legacy is tainted. He would rather keep the masses of the great unwashed bus-people fat and happy, with their massive SUV's petrol tanks filled with $1/gallon fuel than actually create the peace and democratic (small d) world-order he promised. Many of us were short-sighted enough to think that Trump wasn't.
There is one real solution to this, and even Bibi doesn't have the intestinal fortitude to enact it. Israel must destroy the oil infrastructure of Iran, Qatar, and every other enemy, leaving the US (and its holdings in Venezuela) as the new master of energy. As well, the monetary holdings of her enemies, which exist mostly in cyberspace, need to magically disappear off the world's books.And while we're at it, anyone who posts Jew-hatred and marches in anti-Zionist protests needs to have his/her account wiped out.
It can be done. All of it. It is far more humane than the so-called Masada Plan. But of course, no one has the courage to do it.
I love this. Yes!
Terrific idea!!
And now the socialists are on the march in America.
Aside from a temporary reprieve from a nuclear bomb and world opinion that Israel is the villain in all this, it’s hard to see what Israel has gained. Very disappointing outcome, but we’ll see what happens after the 60 days are up.
Interesting analysis. Reminds me of the Budapest Memorandum and the Ukraine.
Great essay, I agree with everything written. I also believe that Israel's future will be strong and bright. Hamas and Hizbollah are much degraded, Israel is armed and supplied for the present, and will now proceed to build its own arms industry.
Clinton guaranteed Ukraine for giving up their nuclear weapons. How'd that work out? We allied with the Kurds against Isis, till we didn't. Now we back Erdogan's Isis protegé in Syria and we kicked the Kurds to the curb. We would anyone trust us?
Trump is a lying backstabber. His belittlement of Israel and downplaying of its role is despicable and nothing unexpected from that narcissist who must always convince us he's the one deserving all the credit, he's the only one who can get the job done, whether true or not.
Israel had an equal or even greater role in the Iran war not only with its air force striking Iranian targets but by providing all of the intelligence. Instead of publicly thanking Israel and speaking of its significant role, he belittles it as he often feels he must belittle others to elevate himself. Really pathetic.
Just the same Trump came in and screwed up the war in Gaza because he wanted to be the one to take credit for releasing the hostages and creating "peace".
The idea that he can manage the Middle East better than the Israelis who live there with decades of experience and full understanding of its enemies, is a joke.
His narcissism is a clear and present danger to Israel and all of us.
And contrary to popular belief, as this essay reveals, the US government has never been an ally to Israel. It uses Israel and the weapons provided to Israel are merely for the purpose of having leverage over Israeli actions.
It's time for the Israelis to break this toxic relationship with Washington and produce its own fighter jets and whatever else it receives from the Pentagon. They are more than capable of doing so.
Only then, will Israel have freedom of action to defend itself.
Excellent essay from which I learned much.
A timely reminder that the State of Israel has fair weather allies who , not for the first time, have dropped any pretence to having any commitment beyond their own interests, which as soon as the wind blows the other way can no more be trusted than any of our long term enemies. There is no magic wand to change these facts and fundamental changes will take a generation to resolve.
1957-2026 and yet Israel still doesn't make its own bullets.
You shine a light illuminating in truth into a darkened world.
The Straits of Tiran, the Strait of Hormuz – – if only Israel were dealt with on the straight and narrow.
European and American political actions, and UNSC as well as ICJ decisions prove over and over again that treaties, founding charters, and international laws are "a scrap of paper."
let's see, countries honoring their promises, like US with Kyoto; like US with JCPOA; like US, Russia, and UK honoring the sovereignty of Ukraine; or Hamas a cease fire