We vote not just for a President, but for a presidency. Particularly for voters concerned about Mideast policy, it’s hard to argue with the accomplishments—too many of which we already take for granted. You might (grudgingly) concede that this presidency has been, by-and-large, a success.
Originally published in the Jerusalem Post
Continue readingThose whose hatred of political opponents exceeds their hatred for the country’s enemies should be kept far from the Presidency. A party which treats foreign policy only as a means to claw back power at any cost cannot be trusted with America’s own national security interests; how reliable can it be when it comes to Israel’s?
This column originally published in the Times of Israel. Continue reading
Donald Trump may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But considering his far more solidly pro-Israel team, Republican commitment to repeal FATCA, Democratic unreliability towards Israel and Hillary’s deplorable Israel record (beyond her words), it’s not a close call.
This column was originally published in the Jerusalem Post Continue reading
There is a lot of George Bailey in America’s foreign policy DNA. And, like George, we’ve now seen in the Middle East the dystopia of a world in which we are absent.
If there is such a thing as the opposite of gunboat diplomacy, we are witnessing it in the nuclear negotiations with Iran. There will be repercussions.
Nothing underscores Hamas incompetence more than the current war. Hamas chose this war, yet what does it have to show for it other than a few score Israelis killed? How foolish does Hamas look for building and maintaining a huge rocket arsenal that has turned out to be mostly impotent against Israel’s Iron Dome?
Troubling as America’s apparent declare-diplomatic-victory-and-get-out approach to squandering Iranian sanctions may be, it is making other countries scramble to adjust. And that may prove useful, especially to Israel. Iran and America may have inadvertently done more to advance Mideast peace than all previous peace plans, conferences and initiatives combined. Continue reading
An administration which so easily lies to its own citizens to achieve domestic political ends cannot be trusted to act faithfully towards the citizens of other countries. Continue reading
Obama’s waffling over the red line he himself painted cuts to the core of whether he can be relied upon to keep even his own commitments anywhere else–such as American peace process guarantees for Israel. Would you buy a used peace plan from this man?
This column was first published in American Thinker Continue reading
Israelis may be masters of intelligence. They may be military geniuses. But they are inept when it comes to visionary diplomatic moves—especially those whose success hinges on the misplaced belief in the good faith of others.
This column was originally published in The Daily Beast.
Here is Abe’s interview on the John Batchelor Show on this topic.
Another country heard from: Abe Katsman weighs in 