search
David Turner

The gloves come off, President Obama!

An article appearing yesterday in Debka described Israel’s head of Military Intelligence “welcome” in DC as “ho-hum.” This in response to his describing al-Quaeda creep in Syria and Sinai, and the eventual threat via Lebanon. For the Obama Administration it comes down to “that’s your problem!”

From Debka: “As the mainstream Syrian rebel movement crumbles, al Qaeda is bolstered by an influx of fighters, weapons and funds from across the Muslim world, including the Persian Gulf. Over the past year, the IDF has had to reconfigure its deployment against Syria – first to contend with the potential of chemical weapons, then Iranian military involvement, followed by Hizballah’s advance towards the Israeli border and now al Qaeda’s inroads.

“Gen. Kochavi was not led to expect a sympathetic hearing in Washington for Israel’s concerns.

“For the fight, Israel is on its own.” (http://www.debka.com/article/2…

I make no secret that I have been a consistent critic of US regional policy as naive and short-sighted since  1956 and Suez; the Shah, 1979; Sadam, 2003… Have been no more critical of the current inheritor of this sordid past, even, or particularly including Bush, Jr, until now. But Bush, at least, hid weakness and insecurity behind tough words, which kept everybody wondering if the loose hand-grenade might in fact explode. But Obama makes no pretense of weakness, makes it some kind of virtue! And Russia, and Iran, and Assad and the Sunnis and Sh’ia and even, it now appears, the Israelis understand that given his druthers Obama will find a way out. If forced, as in Libya, he will have to act or openly lose face. Which could wind up in impeachment because as isolationist as the US is, it still has its appearance as “the world’s only superpower” to maintain.

I was told by another participant in the blog that Obama may have turned a corner as president in his second term. I may or not have the information sources that participant has, but by visible evidence (I put a lot of stock in such!) all I see is Iran continuing to progress to the Bomb while distracting Obama in Syria; that Iran has repeatedly rubbed first Bush’s, now Obama’s nose in the sand and today the roaring mouse has the fleeing eagle at bay.

A reminder, the peace between Egypt and Israel resulted from direct and unmediated discussions between the two parties, secret from the US! Since my own naïve youth I have been cured of illusions regarding the Palestinians. Since Abbas became “president” of Palestine he seemed to have no problem talking to Israeli leaders. It was Obama who slammed that door, laid down the pre-condition regarding the “settlements” where none had previously existed, and posed no obstacle to negotiations. This, he brilliantly did early in his first term. As Abbas himself said, “It was Obama who suggested a full settlement freeze. I said OK, I accept.” And all negotiations came to a screeching standstill. Since then the befuddled and discouraged American president seems content to blame Israel for not allowing his efforts to succeed!

Everybody is entitled to a misjudgment. But consistent pattern of “misjudgment”? There is simply no pardon for stupidity, particularly when stupidity results in tens of thousands of lives, inadvertently promotes terrorism and a nuclear arms race!

Never thought I would recall as with relative “fondness” the halcyon days of the impetuous if decidedly not brilliant, GW!

About the Author
David made aliya in 1960 and has been active in Jewish issues since. He was a regional director for JNF in New York, created JUDAC, Jews United to Defend the Auschwitz Cemetery during that controversy; at the request of Jonathan Pollard created and led Justice for the Pollards in 1989.