Very Complex Strategies Required

Submitted by Robert (United States), Sep 18, 2018 at 09:07

Dear Daniel Pipes,

From your last comment I understand that you are concerned that Trump may impose a "price" on Israel for "taking Jerusalem off the table." But (1) you're oblivious to what Trump's done since to Abbas financially for slighting his peace plan sight unseen, and (2) that his three-person team are Kushner, Greenblatt, and Friedman, all three extremely pro-Israel, even more than Netanyahu.

I see "stubborn" Trump as staying the course - recall how he criticized Obama for weakness? Why do you imagine that Trump would impose conditions unacceptably to Bibi? I think you are (like most "thinkers") biased against Trump because he acts primarily on his business instincts. Trump is the extreme opposite of Obama when it comes to vocalizing his thoughts.

The problem in my view, for Israel to prevail isn't Trump, but, inter alia, (1) Conservative Republicans and (2) American Jews.

(1) In support of Trump/Israel, you need to review your proposed Strategy and Policies regarding Area C of Samaria and Judea - how much of Palestinian sub-areas are to be "left" for Abbas and Jordan to control by default. Similarly, economic rehabilitation will not be appeasement, but a further means of isolating Gaza from the grips of Abbas, creating effectively the seeds of a "three-state solution" (the Palestinians will remain divided). And Gaza residents will have have something to loose, if not completely pacified.

(2) Jewish demographics are split both on domestic policy and foreign affairs. That I think is due to the 1960's leftover identity politics revolution reacting against Racism and Sexism. Unfortunately the Republican "Conservative" establishment has never got their act together on this matter. Since 1945, the late William F. Buckley, Jr., has been disseminating a hodge podge quasi-theory of Conservatism, or Neoconservatism, consisting of Libertarianism, Anticommunism, and Traditionalism. In my view, this is essentially Reactionary picking from the past to resist our great American historical Progress. For example, it is an effort to Establish our Judo-Christian against the triumph of our First Amendment. Instead of bring 2 Orthodox-rooted Israeli political scientists into this debate, I prefer our Founding Father & Great American Deist, THOMAS PAINE and at least his three (3) works: "Common Sense" (1776), "Rights of Man" (1781), and "Age of Reason" (1794). Or is he too "Liberal" for our Conservative Republicans? Nevertheless, no views consistent with his can be deemed "un-American," neither can they be said to be inconsistent with Tradition. And than there is John Brown (1800-1859) - the still maligned Great American White Abolitionist who gave his life to end the Evils of Slavery. Was he a "Liberal" too according to contemporary American Conservatives? Should Slavery have been Conserved on the grounds of Tradition?

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