With this latest Moscow visit, Benjamin Netanyahu confirms that the era of the post-American Middle East has begun. The Israeli prime minister and the Russian president share a disdain for what they see as the weakness of the current U.S. leadership.
Haaretz One of the most significant geopolitical moments in recent years, Israel’s acknowledgement of Russia’s return as a major player in the region, took place without American participation.
Netanyahu is what they call in European politics, an Atlanticist. He believes in the never-ending centrality of a strategic alliance with the United States as his foreign policy. But what is such a man to do when he feels that his beloved America is itself giving up on that alliance?
Not that long ago, it would have been nearly unthinkable that an Israeli prime minister could ask for, and receive, an invitation to an emergency summit with the president of Russia, in much less time than it would take him to obtain a similar invitation to meet the president of the United States.
Netanyahu is still the most American of all Israeli leaders, but one thing he shares with Vladimir Putin is the disdain for what they both see as the weakness and prevarication of the current American leadership. It was that perceived weakness which allowed Putin to continually challenge the West over his invasions of Ukraine and it allowed him this month to steal a march on the United States and become the first world power (and second country after Iran) to put its soldiers boots on the ground in Syria.
It is that frustration with the hesitancy of America to act in response to Russia which prompted Netanyahu to rush to Moscow and promise Putin that “Israel is neither for, or against Assad.”
Putin and Netanyahu are not alone in this club of leaders who feel that under Barack Obama, the U.S. has left a vacuum in world affairs. Two other prime ministers in Asia whose politics would normally put them in the pro-America camp, India’s Narendra Modi and Japan’s Shinzo Abe, feel the same, and not surprisingly, Netanyahu gets along very well with them.
That’s also true of President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, the first Egyptian leader who has no problem saying in an interview that he speaks with Netanyahu on the phone every week.
Sisi and Modi have also been courting Putin. Even Abe has been making overtures to the Kremlin despite the ongoing territorial dispute with Russia over the Kuril Islands. They and other like-minded leaders don’t like or trust Putin very much, but they recognize they may be operating in what is becoming a post-American world order.
This of course could all prove to be very premature. The United States is still the world’s only superpower with unparalleled military and economic might, but for the last six and a half years ago, that power has rarely been wielded by President Obama and few feel that in his last 18 months in office, anything is about to change.
“Obama’s reluctance to use his power around the world hasn’t only weakened America’s position,” says one senior European diplomat. “It has weakened the main European countries as well, because we have been so used to operating together with the U.S. over the last 70 years, we can’t go it alone today.”
Certainly the next occupant of the Oval Office may be much more of an interventionist, but it will be too late for Syria. The bloody civil war with over a quarter of a million dead and growing millions of refugees, which is rapidly becoming known as “Obama’s Rwanda,” will be the monument of his inaction and lack of coherent policy on most foreign affairs, with the exception of engagement with Iran.
Netanyahu, who is so often lambasted for his heavy-handed style of diplomacy, can be hardly blamed in this case for his prompt and pragmatic response.
Putin is the president whose has fighter jets and special forces deployed in Syria, while for the first time in eight years, the United States will for the next two months have no aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean or Persian Gulf. Washington will still have 10 (soon 11) ocean-going carriers while Russia still has none, but the test in the Middle East is not having the power, but being prepared to use it.
Something about Putin that makes him bloody hell ‘sexy’. He oozes power.
It’s about time Israel aligned itself with Putin. Assad is a smart guy and would not be a party to attacking Israel. Let Assad reclaim Syria while leaving Kobani to the Kurds who richly deserve it. And then, spread out to reclaim the rest from ISIS. Sadly, Iran will have to be a player in this scenario.
India and Russia are old friends. India has economical ties with US and we like Americans as a people. But Indians know the government of USA helps Pakistan the terror producing factory.
A few years ago at a meeting in the White House, Obama left the room so he could eat a leisurely meal leaving Netanyahu sitting there — hungry, and NOT invited to the meal.
This is the person Americans elected to the highest office of the land — twice. Hostile Muslim Obama seizes every opportunity to treat Israel’s Prime Minister with unconcealed hostility — PURE HATE.
Obama constantly seeks to show the world that he’s a ‘big, powerful guy’ and some time ago treated Putin and Russia with such hostility that many people became afraid that Obama was going to start World War Three with Russia.
From what I’m reading, Obama wants a Third Term in the White House. If a major crisis doesn’t happen, Obama may just create one so that he can declare Martial Law and take total control over the country. He’s already signed Executive Orders where he would take control over EVERYTHING — people, food, transportation, everything.
Netanyahu, Putin and Al-Sisi are perfect allies because Obama has done everything in his power to destroy Israel, Egypt and Russia.
You wait and see.
Obama is doing nothing to aid Europe in stopping this invasion, infact he helped to create it.
I can tell you that the Europeans and the British especially are turning away from the US. We no longer see you as allies, many of us hold you responsible for this whole bloody mess, through your consistent meddling in world affairs.
Obama is bit by bit building resentment against the US and slowly isolating you.
Once these cockroaches have destroyed Europe, they will turn their attentions on the US, where will your allies be then?
Do you think, Russia, China or Israel will be there for you?
No, the US will be alone and your invasion will begin.
AC, Obama has turned several of our allies into enemies. Yet our real enemies are still our enemies. The next president will fix that unless its Hillary.
Bonni, It’s very sad. Some people now refer to America as the Evil Empire.
Centuries ago, European and British Christians fled to the new country of America to escape persecution. America was founded on God. Things have changed drastically.
In America’s PHONY wars against Muslim terrorists which are in reality wars FOR the Muslim terrorists, Christians in Middle East countries have asked, “Why is America making war against Christians?”
For many years, Europe, Britain and America refused to take in the overwhelming number of Christians desperate to escape Muslim persecution. Our leaders want only Muslims. In this regard, British and European leaders are also guilty.
The latest evil is Muslim God-hater Obama sending back the Christians who fled to America for safety. Their families were warned by the regime to remain silent about it. What terrifying threats did Obama make?
Good, I wish more would, then maybe they’s stop coming here.
He’s already let in a lot of Islamic terrorist and plans to do more and has crippled the economy as well, This has been a plan for many years in the making. It’s more than the USA I think it has to also be this UN deal.
By the way all this crap ganging on the USA is not fair, we were dammed when we come to anyone’s assistance and dammed if we don’t.
The votes are rigged, and this left and right crap is a scam is what I think, and many of us or most thought it stupid going anywhere NEAR the Middle east as well. But I assure you when someone wanted help? it was always the USA that was supposed to do it!! Also a plan to only wreck us.
We also sick of being blamed, the average people that are just trying to get by like anyone else in the world, I wish we would all just get together and get rid of Islam and then close the USA borders forever, I do not want anyone coming here anymore period!!
Nobody does us any good when they come, Not the Islamist and certainly not a bunch of Atheist who have kids that then tun into Satanist by the way, Since you Brits and such seem to think you have it all figured out, Good for you and goodbye, I am fed up with trying to care, Just as bad as the Islamist are anymore.
I would like to help in the riddance of Islam and let us all just stay right the hell away from each other after that, Thanks.
Netanyahu and Putin are forces to be reckoned with.
None one could ever accuse obumble of that but he’s too busy advancing his islamic masters’ cause.
Maybe together Russia and Syria will smash the ISIS.
Jesus Obama has no qualifications for such an important job. He neither one nor the other.
I haven’t seen such genuine affection …. between two leaders …. Puty and Bibi …. since Obama was going gaga over that POS Abbas …. and as a bonus …. Puty and Bibi respect each other …. no one respects Obama ?
Putin, Netenyahu, al sisi, King Abdullah…the new force for good against the greatest threat facing humanity today. And, to the vapid cheers of western liberals, America has no part in it.
Its probably for tbe best that there’s less and less of the greatest generation with us everyday so they don’t have too see whats become of their sacrifice because of Obama.
No, don’t include King Abdulla. He’s just declared he will defend Jerusalem AGAINST Israel:
http://unitedwithisrael.org/jordan-boasts-it-forced-un-to-ignore-jewish-history-in-jerusalem/
Every time I see a photo of Mobama, I’m more and more disgusted and wonder how we sunk so low.
How we sunk so low? try years and years and years of being told if your white your privileged even when your NOT?? Trained to think we owe blacks at our own demise, DO not bring anything up about Obama it will make the blacks angry even if it means genocide on both the blacks and whites, Because well too many Blacks seem to think Islam will be GOOD to them since they do NOT understand Islam because too many want what some creep is promising them, POWER.. when actually he is digging their graves and he is getting rich NOT them.
As the world abandons hope, and turns to their former adversary for help, Bambam kicks backs back in his seat, throws his hooves on the desk and sparks up another one…
Strong leader, Putin, shows respect for Netanyahu, where Obama shows none.
The infamous pic of profoundly disrespectful, Muslim supremacist Obama poking Netanyahu arrogantly in the chest will never be forgotten.
Gen 12:3 applies today… Russia will become a major power and may control the world economy like China someday.
Bibi still rocks!
Can’t blame Israel for looking elsewhere and exploring other options: the US, or more accurately, the Obominable administration, has made it quite clear they are not Israel’s friend. In fact, they are arguably its enemy now. But so much depends on the next president. I believe that much (though not all – the muslim immigration into the States, for example, cannot be reversed, though it can be halted) of the mess Obama has made can be undone. But if the next president is a Democrat, or a RINO ….
Some argue (understandably, I think) that it should not be America’s job to be policeman of the world. But the trouble is, the US is so big that stepping aside as Obo has done leaves a big power vacuum, and that vacuum WILL be filled by someone (ISIS, Russia, China, etc.) America will be affected by this – they are too big not too be. So it needs to ask itself whether it wants other nations, cultures and ideologies to shape the world – a world which impacts America as much as anyone else – or try to put its own imprint on the world, as it has done for 70 years, and create a more favorable global environment for America’s interests, and those of its allies, to flourish. Hiding, as Obama has done, harms other nations – like Israel – but it also harms America.
BNI – those last two picture with the comments below them was priceless. Thought I’d fall over laughing and yet they are so true. Thanks for the laugh of the day.
There is definitely a genuine warmth I’ve seen in the Bibi-Putin photos that I never see in the Obama-Putin or Obama-Bibi photos.
Right – agree BNI
I have seen that too, he seems to be kind to animals and has a passion / respect for life. Even if they consider us enemy’s whatever, I never really understood the dynamics?
With this evil monster in the USA in charge, if they took over some land it might actually be SAVING the land, I am more for morals and values than just some ideas that we are better than anyone.
If we have to split into sections to save the good we must do that if it comes down to it, Because I would rather be a part of the 1/2 that is good than the 1/2 that is corrupt and oppressive as all hell!!!
Well USA cuddles up to Iran. And Iran is committed to the destruction of Israel. Can you blame Israel if they start talking to some new friends ?
RBI, this has been going on for quite awhile, ever since obama took office. It’s only recently that countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, and Russia are going public with their relationships with Israel.
Marine Le Pen has once said, “Putin is a defender of White Christian European civilization.” Anyone who cultivates animosity towards Putin-led Russia is either a Koranimal or self-loathing White Western Islamophile. The West and Russia would do well to cast aside their grievances to neutralize the Islamic existential threat and ensure pure-blooded White Infidels survive this century and for all eternity.
I think we will when we get a real American in the White House again. GW Bush had a very good relationship with Putin.
Ohoho is not a leader. He might qualify as a show girl as much as he loves the stage. Let’s face it, for the last 6 1/2 yrs this country has no one at the helm! He, along with the majority of Congress, should be in federal prison! Our country may be powerful but it’s frightening when you think of power with no force directing it. No one I know wants to follow oasshat ‘s lead. If he could have his way our military would be wearing ballet slippers and dancing in the Nutcracker!
BNI..my brother’s home on Thurs. First time we’ll all be in country at the same time in 4 yrs!!! 🙂
That’s great, Emma, give him a big hug for me. And tell him thank you from all of us at BNI, for all he’s done for America.
So true Emma. God Bless you and your hero vet brother.
Cute dog…
Wonderful Emma! Enjoy your precious time together!
The American voter with it.s ignorance, is responsible for every evil, BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA has bestowed!
I can be proud to say that I have never ever voted for that man.
this comes as no surprise. the new axis of evil includes N.Korea, Iran and AMERICA!
Sad.