Pompeo offered Iran freedom from the barrel of a gun. And mighty persuasive it was too. He gave an interview earlier today in which he recounted a fever-dream version of the aftermath of the Soleimani assassination, which bore no resemblance to any reality we know: Pompeo: I saw last night there was dancing in the streets in parts of Iraq. We have every … [Read more...]
Who Needs Saudi Arabia?
Apparently, Donald Trump needs the Saudis. And every U.S. president going back to FDR needed them. We need their oil. Sometimes, we need their military muscle when we face an ornery Middle East dictator like Saddam Hussein. George Bush made common cause with the Saudis in their jihad against their Shiite enemy, Iran. He even invited the King to his … [Read more...]
Trump to Speak at Israel’s Monument to National-Suicide
Hey, we all know Donald Trump is a borderline personality. We know about the serial outrages he perpetrates against truth, history, and the English language. But his recently announced trip to the Middle East is a new 'achievement.' I don't know whether to call it the summit or nadir of insanity. When he visits Israel, he plans to speak at Masada. … [Read more...]
Trump Strives to Undo 70 Years of Bipartisan U.S. Mideast Consensus
There are alarming news reports about upcoming Trump cabinet appointments to fill key slots in the national security and foreign policy apparatus. They raise the specter of undoing nearly 70 years of carefully-constructed consensus in U.S. policy toward the Middle East. Presidents hearkening back to Lyndon Johnson have opposed Israeli settlements, and since … [Read more...]
