It is nothing short of despicable that a long-term ally to the U.S. like Israel and its prime minister, Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu, received a cold shoulder from U.S. President Barack Obama when he came to our country and delivered his speech to Congress a week ago. The fact that he would rather give nuclear power to Iran than a handshake to Israel is proof that he is as clueless to Middle Eastern life and turmoil as a mouse is to the cheese in a mousetrap.
Unbeknown to most Americans, while we were debating the value of Bibi's visit to the U.S, virtually all Arab leaders from Saudi Arabia to Egypt agreed with him on warning the U.S. not to get into bed with Iran on nuclear deals. Moreover, drafting an accord that gradually lifts harsh economic sanctions will only add fuel to an already overflowing Iranian powder keg.
The reason Arab leaders around the Middle East are encouraging Obama to listen to Netanyahu was summarized well by the Christian Science Monitor last week: "Largely overlooked in all the hubbub of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress about Iran this week is that Arab leaders pretty much agree with him."
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The Monitor hit the nail on the head when it reported, "Already alarmed at the gains the Shiite government in Tehran is making in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and now apparently in Yemen, Sunni Arab leaders worry that an American accord with Iran on its nuclear program will seal the deal on a decade of expanding Iranian influence."
James Phillips, senior research fellow for Middle Eastern affairs at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, added his concerns about Arab leaders' admonition: "They're worried the U.S. will increasingly turn a blind eye to Iran's subversive activities in the region and that a deal could lead to a U.S.-Iran rapprochement that would downgrade the Gulf Arabs in general, but especially the Saudis, in Washington's estimation."
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Unfortunately, Obama feels he can negotiate his way to ISIS friendship. It's absolutely ludicrous. By regarding Iran as a "useful ally" against the Islamic State, he's only giving the greatest Islamic puppeteer in the region stronger strings to manipulate and empower extremists. And to think that all Iran had to do was come to the Obama negotiating table to pull the U.S. onto its stage of Middle East subversion.
To add insult to injury, when Bibi decided to accept Congress' invitation to Washington, Obama and his administration not only snubbed but also dissed the Israeli prime minister, as Karl Rove outlined so well in his column this past week, "How the White House Botched Bibi's Speech." Though it was great to see most House and Senate Democrats attend the speech and I commend them for it, roughly 30 percent bailed. To boot, Obama scheduled to meet with congressional Democrats about trade issues at the same time Bibi appeared on Capitol Hill.
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Ignoring and rebuking your greatest ally in the Middle East during negotiations with the region's historical evil empire isn't foundational diplomacy; it's folly that is aiding and abetting our foes and increasing Middle East instability.
But there's nothing new there in the Oval Office: It's Middle East par for the course with Obama. Throughout his presidency, his decisions and diplomatic track record in that region of the world have been the worst in the history of leaders in Western civilization. Everything he and his administration touches turns to grenades. The Benghazi disaster, the Syrian delay, Iraq and Afghanistan troop withdraw, GITMO hostage swaps, U.S. aloofness to Israel, etc., have all only fostered and empowered the development of extremists like ISIS and produced further volatility in the Middle East.
And now, Obama wants to help an anti-Israeli, jihad-proliferating Islamic stronghold like Iran to continue its uranium enrichment and produce more nuclear power in hope it might help with our war against the ISISI? There's a greater chance a winter nor'easter will hit the gates of Hades!
Let Americans, Israelis, and indeed all peoples always remember, as the Hebrew Scriptures say: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you" (Pslam 122:1).
(In next week's column, I will have more to say about Netanyahu and Israel's upcoming election on March 17.)
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