The Race Against Time: Between Ballot Boxes in Washington and Jerusalem and an Existential Decision Against Iran | Idan Maraash
Netanyahu and Trump met at the White House in their eighth meeting, which was defined as successful. The decision on expanding the campaign against Iran rests with Trump, who faces a dilemma between a broad campaign and an agreement, against the backdrop of elections in the US and Israel. In Jerusalem, there are concerns that Iran is dictating the pace, and that Israel will be forced to act alone.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met this week with President Donald Trump at the White House, in their eighth meeting since the start of Trump's second term. The two leaders defined the meeting as successful, and afterward a senior political source clarified that the decision on whether to expand the campaign against Iran rests with the American president. The dilemma stands against the backdrop of the US midterm elections and the Knesset elections, as Trump weighs between launching a broad campaign to decide Iran's fate and continuing a policy of pinpoint strikes, economic pressure, and negotiations. The article notes that Iran continues to test the limits of deterrence, and that there is concern in Jerusalem that Iran is dictating the pace of escalation. It also discusses whether Israel can act independently if the US hesitates, and whether the Trump administration will provide full backing. The article emphasizes that the window of opportunity for a decision is closing, and that for Israel this is an existential question of national security.