Sunday Reads: Castro and Israel, The future of the Iran deal, Make America’s allies great again
US
Hugh White discusses the ” target=”_blank”>making America’s allies great again:
The U.S. rivalry with Russia, Iran, and China is enduring and, as proven by the diplomatic failures of the past years, cannot be resolved by accommodation. These competitors—nay, enemies—are here to stay. U.S. security will not be found in some supposedly as-yet-undiscovered friendship with them, but in the real and existing set of alliances we already have.
The new President should bet on the latter.
Israel
Aviad Kleinberg gives his take on ” target=”_blank”>struggle with the Israeli right following Trump’s election:
Netanyahu, whose patience for Bennett had long run out after many conflicts between the two, was enraged. Immediately following the US presidential elections, the chairman of HaBayit HaYehudi jubilantly announced that the era of the two-state solution is over and led cries of joy among the right. Netanyahu argued that these sorts of declarations are damaging to Israel’s interests and asked his ministers to refrain for the time being from statements on diplomatic issues. But not only did Bennett violate his request, he made direct contact with associates of the president-elect and met with them.
Middle East
Ellie Geranmaye takes a look at the ” target=”_blank”>the search for a successor to Mahmoud Abbas in the PA:
Convening the seventh congress and successfully concluding it will go a long way in sealing Abbas' singular rule over the movement and will allow him to chart the short-term goals of the movement. But all delegates understand that this will be Abbas' last congress, and therefore support him to ensure the success of an honourable succession process.
Jewish World
Liel Leibovitz is ” target=”_blank”>charged relationship with Israel and the Jews:
Castro has aimed his scorn at Israel and in 2014 described Israel’s offensive in Gaza as a “new, repugnant form of fascism.”
Castro made his comments in a column titled “Palestinian Holocaust in Gaza” and published in an official Cuban communist party newspaper. “Why does the government of this country (Israel) think that the world will be impervious to this macabre genocide that is being committed today against the Palestinian people?” Castro wrote.
