This week, the United States lost an American patriot who devoted his life to the service of his nation. Further down, we discuss certain policy items we feel our readers should be aware of, but first, let us take a moment to honor the late General Colin Powell.
An American Patriot
On Monday, Gen. Powell passed away at age 84. From the moment he entered his college’s ROTC, Gen. Powell served his country with distinction and honor. He was a Vietnam veteran, twice wounded in that conflict. He served as the National Security Adviser, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State. As a result of his guidance, the US was successful in liberating Kuwait from Iraq during the first Gulf War.
Gen. Powell was well liked in Israel. He spoke Yiddish, which his Jewish audiences always appreciated. And he never hid his respect and affinity for the IDF, once noting, “I came to know and admire fellow soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces. I came to understand the commitment of blood we had with Israel…. I marvel at the professionalism and successes of the Israel Defense Forces.”
Lebanon on the Brink (Again)
Last week, Hezbollah rallied its members to march in the streets calling for the judge investigating the Beirut port blast to be removed. The Iran-backed terrorist army does not want the people of Lebanon to know the truth behind that tragedy. Reports indicate Christians began to feel threatened by the protestors, shots were fired, and six people were killed. Calm has been restored for the moment, but another skirmish could flare up at any time.
The CUFI Action Fund has warned repeatedly of the importance of leveraging US aid to the Lebanese to ensure that Hezbollah is weakened. Yet the US refuses to do so and as a result the terrorists grow stronger. Hezbollah is the most powerful military force in Lebanon, and as such, one of three things will now happen.
The first scenario is one in which the Lebanese Christians and Sunni leaders stand
up to Hezbollah and move the investigation forward, in which case an even more significant conflict could break out. Second, the Lebanese leaders will capitulate to Hezbollah’s demands, likely resulting in street protests, in which case more violence is also likely. Finally, the Lebanese leaders could bow to Hezbollah’s demands, things calm down for the moment, and Hezbollah is emboldened, in which case much more significant violence will take place down the road.
The US has a vital role to play here. The Biden administration must insist that the investigation move forward unfettered, or the US
will pull its aid – all of it. Short term stability that enables Hezbollah’s ever-increasing stranglehold on Lebanon and ensures even more significant violence tomorrow can no longer be the policy of the United States.
Iran Buying Time (Again)
For a while now, diplomacy with Iran has gone something like this: Iran has moved its nuclear program forward, the US and EU-3 issue strong statements and demand a return to the negotiating table. Iran then demands preconditions to negotiations, the West largely balks, but they all agree to meet down the line. Either those negotiations go nowhere, or they don’t happen. And then Iran starts the charade all over again by announcing/getting caught advancing its nuclear weapons program. Rinse, repeat.
Occasionally, someone tries to
make something of an upcoming meeting or announcement implying that somehow the above cycle will be broken. This week, it’s the announcement that the head of the IAEA is headed to Washington. It won’t make a difference. The administration either takes the Iranian threat seriously enough to change Iran’s view that the US is a paper tiger or we continue along the current trajectory. It’s that simple.
As always, we are grateful to each-and-every one of you for taking the time to review our weekly Update, and we’ll be back next week to ensure all of our readers have access to the most up-to-date
analysis on issues relevant to the Middle East and the US-Israel relationship.
Sincerely,
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