Petraeus:Israeli intransigence could cost American lives

[Breadan O'Connor]

There seems to be a remarkable deterioration in relations between America and Israel in recent weeks following Joe Biden's failed trip to Israel.

Now there are reports that General David Petraeus, who is probably America's most respected military commander, has become extremely critical of Israel.

In a briefing, Petraeus warned that, in the Arab world, the US is seen as weak and it's military posture is eroding. This was due to Israel's perceived manipulation of US foreign policy. Petraeus even requested that Palestine/Israel become part of the area of Central Command, which he commands.

Petraeus: Israel's Intransigence Could Cost American Lives

[Catalpa]

There seems to be a remarkable deterioration in relations between America and Israel in recent weeks following Joe Biden's failed trip to Israel.

Now there are reports that General David Petraeus, who is probably America's most respected military commander, has become extremely critical of Israel.

In a briefing, Petraeus warned that, in the Arab world, the US is seen as weak and it's military posture is eroding. This was due to Israel's perceived manipulation of US foreign policy. Petraeus even requested that Palestine/Israel become part of the area of Central Command, which he commands.

Petraeus: Israel's Intransigence Could Cost American Lives

It has already - thousands of American lives.

Netanyahu really ********************ed up in making the Vice President of the United States of America look like an ass while on an official trip to Israel.

It was pretty obvious that Obama is probably the most lukewarm supporter of Israel since Eisenhower.

Bibi dropped the ball here BigTime!

[Grumpy Jack]

Bill Clinton, a good friend of Israel, said after a 'lecture' from Netanyahu in the White House: "Who the f**k does he think he is? Who's the f**king superpower here?"

Obama-Bibi Showdown - The Middle East Blog - TIME.com

It seems Netanyahu didn't learn a lesson from that. The insult to Biden, and thus Obama, was staggering. Obama has no choice but to respond in a very public way and let the Bibi and the Israeli government no that whoever pays the piper calls the tune.

If he doesn't, whatever credibility the US has in the moderate Arab and Muslim world is shot to pieces. And, as Petraeus said, that will cost more American lives.

When the linkage is made by the American people, for how long will they tolerate Netanyahu and his government's intransigence and provocations?

[jcdf]

There seems to be a remarkable deterioration in relations between America and Israel in recent weeks following Joe Biden's failed trip to Israel.

Now there are reports that General David Petraeus, who is probably America's most respected military commander, has become extremely critical of Israel.

In a briefing, Petraeus warned that, in the Arab world, the US is seen as weak and it's military posture is eroding. This was due to Israel's perceived manipulation of US foreign policy. Petraeus even requested that Palestine/Israel become part of the area of Central Command, which he commands.

Petraeus: Israel's Intransigence Could Cost American Lives

Benjamin Netanyahu is either very stupid or clever to be treating the USA the way it does.

If the Arabs think the US is weak after being invaded repeatedly by it, then they must be brain dead. In which case what they think does not matter. So why does General Petraeus care?

[southwestkerry]

... and perhaps the whole thing is a ploy to give the Mid. Est a ego boost.

[Thac0man]

Good to see Petraeus chipping in. Netenyahu is I think betraying the weakness of his government. Likud is persuing an almost entirely Shas agenda, such is their over reliance on them. Its nonsense and deeply transparent. Petraeus opinions also garner respect from Republicans in the US, which would undermine to some degree the Isreali obby in Washington.

If Obama rocks the boat enough, Likud might remove itself from power rather than face a confrontation with the Whitehouse to further the ends of Shas. Netenyahus arrogance has been frankly dizzying thus far.

As soon as Obama is past his current Health Care hurdle, we might expect an eyeball to eyeball meeting between himself and Netenyahu, something the Israeli PM would do well to prepare for now.

[Interista]

i'm not at all surprised by Petraeus' words, though wheather they will do anything to change AIPAC's stranglehold over the US political class remains to be seen.

As I've been saying for a long time, what might be termed the 'old right' is the weak link as far as AIPAC is concerned. Traditional (not neo-con) US conservatives are quite isolationist and extremely reluctant to get embroiled in foreign entanglements unless there is a very good economic or strategic reason for them to do otherwise. Although the politcos have to toe the line, the military class is pretty much impervious to the influence of the lobby as they don't' depend on their donations and PR machine.

Although I don't expect this to change the bizarre practice of a superpower being dictated to by a minor Asian state, it might just open a few people's eyes, and even break the taboo on openly discussing the sacred state of Israel.

[mr_anderson]

I have often thought that the greatest success of the Israeli-jewish lobby in America was not to guarantee massive military and financial aid for Israel, but to successfully convice the US that they share common enemies and objectives.
Washington was always run along the lines of 'What is good for Israel is good for the States'.

Given Americas additive reliance on arab oil, nothing could be further from the truth.
In fact, even the most basic support of Israel goes against Americas self-interest.

[Interista]

Given Americas additive reliance on arab oil, nothing could be further from the truth.
In fact, even the most basic support of Israel goes against Americas self-interest

I think America has less difficulty than you might think in reconciling its support for Israel with its need for Arab oil. This is for one reason and one reason only: Almost all the Arab states are run by dictators who are clients of the US. They really don't give a toss what happens to the Palestinians, so long as they remain in power in their sheikhdom or kingdom.

However, America's unbridled support for all Israel's wars and occupations does definitely complicate their relations with the oil states, because even though these states are not democratic, they cannot afford to completely ignore the views of their people, who are overwhelmingly pro-Palestinian. America's support for Israel is one of the key factors (by no means the only factor) behind the anti-US (and hence anti-Saudi and other Gulf monarchies) stance of Bin Laden and his ilk. In stating this, Petraeus is only stating what has been bleedin' obvious to just about everyone for decades now.

[Shirley Temple Mount]

It seems Netanyahu didn't learn a lesson from that. The insult to Biden, and thus Obama, was staggering. Obama has no choice but to respond in a very public way and let the Bibi and the Israeli government no that whoever pays the piper calls the tune.

There's another possibility here, no?

This whole thing is a stage-managed spectacle for the benefit of the regional regimes. We have the crazy brave Israel allowing its blind passion for Jerusalem over rule its own political interests. We have the slowly simmering Obama administration who have just about had enough of the angry little Israel.
What better time for Israel to put aside it's pride and defer to the wise and powerful US for the sake of peace.
Israel concedes to US wishes with a painful sacrifice on Jerusalem, the US is once again filled with pride for its bold but respectful son.

All eyes turn to the Palestinians - time for your painful sacrifice.... A new dawn arrives over Bantustan Land. :mrgreen: