Trump is hanging Israel and Netanyahu out to dry

Opinion by David A. Andelman

Updated 9:52 PM ET, Fri October 18, 2019

(CNN)With a single stroke, President Donald Trump has effectively brought a newly resurgent and potent triad—Syria, Russia and Iran—to the very doorstep of their declared enemy, Israel, and given aid and comfort to Israel's longtime and persistent foe, Hezbollah, in Lebanon.

The ceasefire and agreement with Turkey that Trump vaunted Thursday as "a great day for civilization," had already been demonstrated to be a potentially epic challenge to one corner of the world—Israel. It was a reality only highlighted by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo breaking off from Vice President Pence's group in Ankara and taking a plane directly to Jerusalem to reassure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Friday morning.

Suddenly, with not even a token American force remaining to monitor or check military activities of Russia, Iran or the Syrian army main force of President Bashar al-Assad, the entire map of the Middle East was being redrawn, and Israel left with few viable defenders. When the United States had even a minimal military presence in Syria, it was able to act as some restraint on aid that Iran was seeking to channel to this terrorist force, which continues to operate out of Lebanon, targeting Israel at every opportunity.

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The American withdrawal and Wednesday's ceasefire can have few positive results for Israel, where Trump's actions "have stirred discomfort within Netanyahu's conservative cabinet," according to Israeli media reports. Amos Harel, military correspondent for the liberal Haaretz daily, said Trump's moves have "forced Israel to rethink its Middle East strategy." After his session with Pompeo, Netanyahu was only somewhat more circumspect. "We hope things will turn out for the best," he told reporters. Indeed, Netanyahu is facing a Wednesday deadline to cobble together a new coalition government after the recent national elections and has still not managed to do so.

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/18/opinions/hanging-israel-out-to-dry-andelman/index.html

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Is there no honor among thieves? Gee whiz, bibi and that thing currently infesting the White House were perfectly happy double-crossing others, but it's not so great when they start double-crossing each other, I guess.