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Ben Lunzer's avatar

The frustration is shared. However, the liberal use, even in quotes, of the f bomb is inappropriate. And referring to 50,000-60,000 dead in Gaza, as civilian deaths - even as any loss, whether a fighter or a civilian, is to be mourned - is profoundly inaccurate, and needlessly incendiary.

We owe it to ourselves to raise our standards of civil discourse.

Kenneth Crook's avatar

At least 70,000 deaths is the figure I've seen reported from reputable sources, so taking off about 20,000 as terrorists, that leaves 50,000 civilian deaths. Do you have another source?

Wayne Karol's avatar

Trump and Netanyahu share an abuse-or-be-abused worldview. Both showed that they have the power to beat up on their enemies at will--and both still ended up looking like losers.

Jim Carmine's avatar

Bibi absolutely understands the big picture of Israel's enemies. But his strategy is failing. Trump said it best: You can't kill your way to peace. Israel needs to defeat radical Islam with a new more appealing ideology. L'chiam vs Death. Death, death, death to America, Israel and on and on. Death vs Life. They choose death. Israel needs to convice them life is better. L'chaim, l'chaim, l'chaim! That must be the new strategy for Israel.

Ray Andrews's avatar

You can try to control mosquitoes with bombs, or you can stop them from breeding. Every bomb Bibi drops recruits another battalion of jihadis. Supposing that young Muslim -- especially Palestinian -- men had something to live for? Instead Israeli brutality drives them into the arms of the Islamists.

francesca's avatar

It didn’t go well for Israel, but the Iranian people have a greater claim to be the losers here. Excellent article.

Anmif's avatar

Yes, Israel is "a" loser in this deal, but they will go on and continue defending themselves. The big loser is the United States. This is the darkest moment for the reputation of the US in at least the last 150 years.

Angie's avatar

Thanks, Sam. Spot on.

Ray Andrews's avatar

Bibi's diplomacy is to bomb anyone, anywhere, any time, for any reason and to hell with world opinion. But it all depends on American help. America has been Israel's attack dog for 80 years, but Trump really doesn't care. Bibi could leave Israel absolutely alone in the world and that could get dangerous.

Robin Gangopadhya's avatar

So everybody points out the Islamic terror gov of Iran and their Terror etc.

No questions about regime’s abuse of its own citizens.

About being terroristas abroad.., err, let us make a spread sheet in who has done what ACROSS the ME theater and the world all originating from all players including Zionistas, shall we? Include in it who funded whom with WMDs and trillion $...take your pick on the start date..

Is there a doubt zionist regime has gotten WNS unlimited from the US & EU, including billions from private supporters of their state terrorism, assassinated hundreds, instigated destruction of most of ME countries - in fact its goodfellas have stated such actions as their national policy- all of which associated parties in the entire cristiandom fully supported through a ghoulish fetish on the biblical myth!

But, let the public make the spread sheet so we can see who does what in ME and since when, chasing what resources from who.. Let the work begin!

Jim Carmine's avatar

I only donate to AIPAC now. This comment demonstrates why.

Robin Gangopadhya's avatar

Q28: where is your loyalty?

The response demonstrates where.

Soon, not sooner, AIPAC/ zionist Gestapo will be made illegal in these States..

Wood for Thought's avatar

So essentially this analysis is „look at what other people said about Bibi, he must be terrible.“ he writes that if Trump says that you need to get a grip, then you really should examine yourself. Seriously? Trump will say anything for his own benefit, but in this case we’re to take it seriously?

I agree Bibi is awful, but this article is shallow. And unfortunately it’s what I’ve by now come to expect when I see Sam Kahn as the author of anything on Persuasion. Luckily he’s an outlier and most of the other authors are great.

Frank Lee's avatar

This article was paid for by Iranian and CCP proxies. It misses the mark and is just more weak ass anti-Trump, anti-American propaganda. Maybe if the US media and the US political establishment had not worked so hard to undermine this operation, the outcome could have been better. But there would never be boots on the ground and negotiation leverage was eliminated by the threat of Congress action related to the war powers act. However, goals have been met. Iran is unlikely to return to its global malice machine. It's nuke weapons program is put 20+ years back. Real peace in the mid east is now very likely.

Ken Kovar's avatar

Now we know why people called him Genocide Joe ! Obviously Biden never pushed back against the slaughter in Gaza as much as he could have!