Category Archives: Middle East politics

The way to “improve our image” is to exercise our power

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Victor Rosenthal

The UNESCO resolution which referred to Jewish holy sites in Jerusalem by their Muslim names alone that passed this week made me think that we – the State of Israel – are taking the wrong path, at least if the … Continue reading →

Posted in Information war, Middle East politics, The UN | 3 Comments

Can Russia be Israel’s ally?

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Victor Rosenthal

It’s hard to understand Vladimir Putin’s attitude toward Jews. On the one hand, Putin-controlled media continues to pour out vulgar anti-Jewish memes, including a recent TV program in which Jews sunk the Titanic, blew up Chernobyl and took down the … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle East politics | 1 Comment

US sends arms to Hezbollah-controlled Lebanese army

Posted on August 10, 2016 by Victor Rosenthal

Hezbollah has effective control of Lebanon, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) are thoroughly infiltrated by Hezbollah. So why is the US providing weapons and equipment to the LAF? There is no way to keep them out of the hands … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle East politics, War | 1 Comment

The shape of things to come (with apologies to H. G. Wells)

Posted on July 25, 2016 by Victor Rosenthal

On Friday my son’s wife took two of my grandkids and her mother on a mini-vacation – to Germany. In the four days that they’ve been there, there have been three terror attacks. I’m more than looking forward to their … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe and Israel, Middle East politics, Terrorism | 3 Comments

Who will cut off the head of the snake?

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Victor Rosenthal

Remember the Cold War? In particular, do you remember when both sides had consistent ideological positions? Washington was always acting to stop soviet expansionism, preventing the dominoes from falling, while the Soviets fought to end American Imperialism. I miss the … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran, Middle East politics | 1 Comment

Bibi and Vlad: “it’s complicated”

Posted on June 10, 2016 by Victor Rosenthal

Today Israel’s PM Binyamin Netanyahu is concluding a two-day visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This is the fourth time within a year that Netanyahu and Putin have met. Russian-Israeli relations now are probably the best they have been since … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle East politics | Comments Off on Bibi and Vlad: “it’s complicated”

Kissinger’s Promise and Obama’s Fulfillment

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Victor Rosenthal

Old realpolitiker Henry Kissinger was in the news recently when he sat down with Donald Trump, to give him the benefit of his experience. It brought to mind Kissinger’s numerous attempts to get Israel out of the territories it conquered … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle East politics, US-Israel Relations | Comments Off on Kissinger’s Promise and Obama’s Fulfillment

Why Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria are legal

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Victor Rosenthal

Europeans like to say that “Israeli settlements outside of the Green Line are illegal under international law.” The US State Department prefers “illegitimate.” But they are wrong. Usually the explanation has something to do with Article 49 of the Fourth … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle East politics, The UN | 2 Comments