Yoram Ettinger

Global kudos to Israel's long term viability

Irrespective of the anti-Israel BDS movements (boycott, divestment and sanctions), independent of UN condemnations, and in defiance of criticism and pressure by Western policy makers – which should not be ignored nor hyperbolized – burgeoning foreign investments in Israel, and the upgraded scope and diversity of Israel's global trade balance, constitute a most authentic measure of Israel's global integration/standing and global confidence in Israel's long-term viability. Once again, complex reality triumphs over superficial conventional "wisdom."

Iran's School Textbooks -- can Congress afford to ignore it?

Iranian school textbooks, such as The Qur'an and Life (Grade 12, p. 125) prepare Iranian children for the Ayatollahs' sublime goal: the apocalyptic, horrifying, millenarian, military battle against the USA and other "arrogant oppressors of the world," which are ostensibly led by "idolatrous devils." While the "savior" -- the infallible, immortal, divinely ordained and eventual global leader, the Mahdi -- has not surfaced yet, Iranian children are taught that the battle is already raging throughout the world, awaiting their sacrifice.

Shavou'ot (Pentecost) highlights US-Israel relations

The US-Israel relations have experienced many crises, beginning with the Department of State's opposition to the establishment of the Jewish State in 1948, the Department of State-inspired 1948/49 military embargo (while the British supplied arms to Egypt, Jordan and Iraq), and Foggy Bottom's sustained refusal to recognize any part of Jerusalem as an Israeli territory.

Military option prevents war

The contention that there are only two options in dealing with the rogue Ayatollahs' regime--negotiation or military option, which supposedly amounts to war--defies reality. Such a contention is either mistaken or misleading. The threat of a limited surgical naval or air force bombing of critical nuclear installations--with no ground troops - would not amount to a war, would deter the Ayatollahs, possibly moderating their nature, and--if activated - would permanently cripple their pursuit of nuclear capabilities, and could be repeated if necessary from US military bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the Indian Ocean or from US aircraft carriers.

Iran and suspension of disbelief

The term "suspension of disbelief" - coined in 1817 by the philosopher Samuel Taylor Coleridge -- refers to a willingness to suspend one's critical faculties and believe the unbelievable; sacrificing reality, common sense, doubt and complexity on the altar of a pretend reality, convenience and oversimplification; infusing a semblance of truth into an untrue narrative.

Jewish holidays' guide for the perplexed - Lag Ba'Omer

Jewish fighting capabilities were well known in ancient times, as documented by Colonel Richard Meinertzhagen, the Chief Political/Intelligence Officer of the British Mandate in Palestine, who studied ancient Jewish wars, including the 132-135AD rebellion against the Roman Empire. In 1923, he stated (Middle East Diary 1917-1956): "When a Jewish state will be established, Britain shall benefit from air force, naval and land bases... as well as Jewish fighting capabilities... which will secure its long-term regional interests."

Israel's economy defies common sense

Irrespective of a cynical and gullible "elite" media, independent of diplomatic pressure, political correctness and conventional wisdom, in defiance of the global economic slowdown, in the face of war and terrorism, and despite ill-advised threats of boycott, divestment and sanctions -- but, due to principle-driven tenacity, inherent optimism, human capital/brain power, creativity, cutting edge ingenuity and breakthrough, game-changing innovations -- Israel's economy is expanding beyond expectations, reacting constructively to pressures/challenges, and developing unique commercial and security niches in response to local and global needs.

At 67 Israel exudes long term optimism

Sixty-seven years ago, upon Israel's declaration of independence, Life Magazine noted (May 31, 1948, pp. 21-28) the odds facing the 600,000 Jews of the newly-born economy-starved and militarily-embargoed Jewish State: "King Abdullah of Trans-Jordan sent his Arab Legion against Jerusalem.... Egypt's planes repeatedly bombed Tel Aviv. Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia pitched in....

The non-omnipotent US presidency

The assertion that US foreign policy and national security are shaped by presidential omnipotence is refuted by recent precedents and the US Constitution. The latter was created by the Founding Fathers, who were determined to limit the power of government and preclude the possibility of executive dictatorship. They were apprehensive of potential presidential excesses and encroachment, and therefore assigned the formulation of domestic and foreign policy and national security policy to both Congress and the president. Obviously, the coalescing of congressional policy among 535 legislators constitutes a severe disadvantage for the legislature.

The Iran challenge: Is there another way

President Obama asserted on April 2, 2015 that he was ready to conclude an agreement with the Ayatollahs "only if Iran came to the table in a serious way." On April 6, 2015, Obama stated that it would be "a fundamental misjudgment" to precondition an agreement with the Ayatollahs upon the transformation of the nature of their regime.