Netanyahu: 'Don't Ever Second Guess Me Again'; Obama Leads From Behind

From AP:

"Sources familiar with conversations between Netanyahu and senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State John Kerry, say the Israeli leader advised the Obama administration "not to ever second guess me again" on the matter. The officials also said Netanyahu said he should be "trusted" on the issue and about the unwillingness of Hamas to enter into and follow through on cease-fire talks.

The Obama administration on Friday condemned "outrageous" violations of an internationally brokered Gaza cease-fire by Palestinian militants and called the apparent abduction of an Israeli soldier a "barbaric" action.

The strong reaction came as top Israeli officials questioned the effort to forge the truce, accusing the U.S. and the United Nations of being naive in assuming the radical Hamas movement would adhere with its terms. The officials also blamed the Gulf state of Qatar for not forcing the militants to comply."

Strong words from Netanyahu. That being said, I generally am sympathetic to Israel (overall they're the morally superior actor in this conflict) but if they hit a school (if there were in fact no weapons stored there by Hamas), they're in the wrong. Israel must never stoop to that level. That's Hamas's job.

I have no clue what John Kerry is doing. I think in this instance, Israel is wise to ignore the Americans in matters of their own national security. Even the left is closing ranks with their compatriots in Israel.

I wouldn't trust Obama either.  The mere fact they brought Qatar and Turkey into the negotiations should make one wonder about their judgment. His administration is just an incoherent mess without much bite.

Hamas at work here. 

*****

Obama leads from behind:


"While U.S. officials say Washington remains influential, it may no longer wield the diplomatic clout it once had in Africa when it was squaring up to the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Many noted how Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, an ally in turbulent central Africa, went ahead in February with signing into law tougher penalties against homosexuality, ignoring an appeal from Obama who warned it would "complicate" relations."

It's not surprising the USA is losing its leadership clout. Obama simply believes America is a nation among many and runs foreign policy along this track.