The renewal of US sanctions against Iran in early August represents another blow to the Iranian economy, which has weakened steadily since the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in May 2018. The sale of gold and precious metals to Iran has been banned, as has the acquisition of dollars by the government of Iran and Iranian companies, and there are prohibitions in place on the sale of civilian aircraft to Iranian airline companies. These steps have reinforced the downfall of the Iranian currency and the...
On August 31, 2018, the Trump administration announced that the United States will cease funding UNRWA, citing the organization’s operational-business model as unsustainable, given its “endlessly and exponentially expanding community of entitled beneficiaries.” This decision is no less than historic. Although the Palestinians view it as a serious blow, if it is presented as a necessary step on the path to Palestinian statehood, it has the potential to harbor long term, positive implications. While Israel should certainly...
Examination of several issues on the agenda between the United States and the Gulf states, and Saudi Arabia in particular, indicates that both sides have found it difficult to live up to the high expectations regarding their relations created by the election of Donald Trump. A mutual sobering in this context requires them to reassess their ability to shape a policy that promotes their aims. For the US administration, this is particularly true with regard to its hope to rely more on the Gulf states to promote its aims vis-à-vis Iran...
The erosion of support for Israel among the liberal American public and the positioning of Israel at the heart of the political dispute between the Republicans and the Democrats could undermine the special relationship between Israel and the United States in the medium and long term. To maintain the alliance between the two countries, Israel’s positive image among the American public must be strengthened, which will help reverse the trend of eroding support among the liberal target audience. The Israeli community in the United States...
In recent weeks there has been a flurry of activity on issues pertaining to Israel at the United Nations, and the United States has regularly come to Israel’s aid. The article looks at three developments that provide a stark example of the strategic asset that the special relationship with the current US administration lends Israel, along with the limitations of this alliance. While the benefits are clear, particularly in the Security Council, Israel must consider scenarios in which the special relationship does not or cannot...
On July 6, 2018, the first tariffs imposed by the United States and China on one another following the American initiative to reduce its trade deficit with China took effect. Prior to that, the US imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum from the European Union, Mexico, and Canada, which responded with their own tariffs. The change in the global trade regime is in line with Trump’s guiding principle: America First. However, the intensifying trade struggles present a more difficult challenge to the US efforts to achieve a broad political...
The Trump-Putin summit was marked by attempts by President Trump to minimize American allegations that Russia interfered in the presidential elections. The meeting also reflected the efforts of the two leaders to forge a close relationship, toward a renewed dialogue between their two countries. In practice, it is doubtful if the meeting saw agreement on the long list of matters on the agenda. Regarding Syria, Putin stated that he and Trump agreed to ensure Israel’s security and borders, according to the 1974 Agreement on...
The campaign underway by the Assad regime for the control of southern Syria, with eyes toward the Golan Heights, is yet another stage by the regime for control of the remaining rebel strongholds in Syria. Israel’s acquiescence regarding the deployment of Assad’s forces in the south, including in the Syrian Golan Heights, indicates that Israel is prepared to accept the return of Assad’s control along the border, though his forces are supported by Shiite militias and his army directed by Iranian commanders. Israel is relying on Russia...
A new budget year (2019) begins in the United States in October 2018, and with it the multi-year aid program for Israel for the years 2019-2028, amounting to $38 billion. Of this, $33 billion comes from the State Department foreign aid program, and $5 billion from the Defense Department, to fund joint projects on missile defense (this was not included in the previous multi-year aid program). However, the terms of the new aid program are more stringent: Israel agrees that the aid is not intended to purchase fuels, and its ability to...
Since the election of Donald Trump, relations between the US and the EU have been on the decline. The clash between the globalist worldview of EU leaders and that of the US President has been manifested on a number of issues. On trade, Trump has identified the EU as a platform for tilting terms of trade in favor of Germany at the expense of the US, and has expressed his willingness to enter into a trade war in order to protect American industry. Major differences of opinion also exist with respect to the nuclear agreement with Iran...
The cyber realm is in the midst of evolving into another branch of state warfare, similar to ground, naval, air, and space warfare. As such, it is bound to give rise to a concise and mature operational doctrine that will adopt general military patterns and rationales and will be synergistically integrated with other lines of operation in the conventional campaign. Although several cyber superpowers have already developed suitable doctrines and capabilities, most of the world’s states are still focused on cybersecurity rather than on...
Israel’s exposure of the Iranian nuclear archive was an impressive and professional operation. It was meant to help prepare public opinion for President Trump’s statement and to make it more difficult for the other leaders who are party to the agreement and who are in no hurry to enter into a confrontation with Iran. In light of the importance of the great threat that Iran poses to Israel, the exposure operation was a vital step in a long struggle. The alternative of not exposing the material would have meant giving up the chance of...
