In-depth
Neither Obama nor Romney are as good – or as bad – as American Jews are led to believe, writes Aaron David Miller in Foreign Policy.
Too many Democrats want to pretend that Barack Obama is the most pro-Israel president in American history (see Joe Biden's paean to Obama). And too many Republicans want to believe that Mitt Romney is Israel's salvation and will rescue the Jews from the clutches of a sitting president they somehow think is a cross between Carter and Rev. Jeremiah Wright. None of these morality plays, of course, bear the slightest resemblance to reality.
The U.S. should be wary of being dragged into war over Turkey's grievances with neighboring Syria, writes Doug Bandow in the National Interest.
Even though the Turkish people appear to oppose war with Syria, Prime Minister Erdogan declared that the two nations are “not far” from war. His government might decide that the public could be carried along in a burst of patriotism. Ankara also might consider provoking an incident in an attempt to force events and invocation of Article 5. Or war could be sparked by another incident, even if unintentional. A seemingly minor spark lit the fuse for World War I. In any case, having routinely intervened all over the world where few important U.S. interests were at stake, Washington could not easily remain aloof from a violent challenge to such a long-standing ally.
Israel's National Security: Myths and Reality
Writing in the Huffington Post, Alon Ben-Meir argues that Israel's military might is no substitute for peace with its neighbors, and in fact should be used to achieve that aim.
Israel is and remains, for as far as the eye can see, a military power that no individual Arab state or combination of states can overwhelm militarily — and if they try, they will do so at their peril. At no time in its history has Israel been stronger militarily. This mighty military prowess can and will be used to deter, defend or go on the offensive should Israel's security be threatened. For this reason, Israel cannot mortgage its security to a third party, it must remain vigilant, powerful and ready at all times to take any legitimate military action deemed necessary to ensure its survival.
Daily Digest
- Times of Israel: French police find material linked to synagogue bombing
- Haaretz: Nuclear Iran, not Israel's economy, will star in Netanyahu's bid for re-election
- Jerusalem Post: Ramon says he's speaking with Olmert about a new party
- Ynet: Palestinians propose peace talks after UN vote
- New York Times: U.S. Military Is Sent to Jordan to Help With Crisis in Syria
- Washington Post: In Syria’s destruction, there is much to mourn
- Wall Street Journal: Iran Closer to Weapons-Grade Fuel, Experts Find
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.