Trump Probably Didn't Intend to Attack Iran, but the Serious Issue Is That Israel Has Become a US Satellite
President Trump backed down from his intention to attack Iran, as he has done in the past, revealing Israel's new status as a US satellite state that is not part of consultations. The IDF has been forced to glean information from the US military due to a disrupted connection between the political and military echelons. Israel is preparing for an expensive alert, while Trump continues his 'brinkmanship' strategy that weakens deterrence.
US President Donald Trump backed down from his stated intention to carry out a massive strike on Iran, a decision made between Saturday and Sunday. The move is not surprising given his behavior pattern known as TACO - Trump always chickens out - whereby he threatens and then retreats. Trump justified the decision with economic considerations, fear of rising energy prices before the midterm elections, and pressure from Gulf states, including his conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Israel, which had gone on high alert, was not updated on the intention and learned of it from Trump's tweet. The article argues that Israel has become a satellite state of the US, not a partner in policy consultations, and that the IDF has had to rely on information from the US military due to a disrupted connection between the political and military echelons. The author, Ron Ben-Yishai, criticizes the lack of coordination and its implications for national security.