On September 14, 2019, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu
was “giddy with excitement” after U.S. President Trump had communicated “the
possibility of moving forward” with a mutual defense pact.[1]
This communication was punctuated, however, by “cautious wording.”[2]
Trump had recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s state capital and recognized
Netanyahu’s annexation of the occupied Golan Heights. What accounts for the
caution regarding a defense pact? Moreover, why had Trump been quiet concerning
the Israeli election that was coming up in a week or so? Netanyahu was polling
behind his contender, so vocal support from Trump, such as on Netanyahu’s
campaign pledge to annex the Jordon Valley, would have been valuable to the
sitting prime minister. At least part of the answer may have something to do
with Israel’s undercutting military action in Iraq. American allies have their
own geo-political agendas that can include undercutting the United States
militarily.
The full essay is at "Distrust and Secret Ops: The Real Game of Allies?"
1. Oren Liebermann, “Trump
May No Longer Be the Gift that Keeps on Giving for Netanyahu,” CNN.com,
September 16, 2019 (accessed on the same day).
2. Ibid.
