For those on the fence, it will enhance his standing for sure, the Golan Heights recognition, warm White House reception, personal dinner with Trump. It will both divert attention away from his pressing domestic concerns and make him appear as a great world leader.

Eytan Gilboa

Categorized in : U.S.

These things are formulated weeks if not months before such a visit, but it seems that the White House is in such disarray that it's not clear what will happen.

If National Journal Ron Fournier were coming from Mars to Israel and National Journal Ron Fournier would read the newspapers, National Journal Ron Fournier would think there is a war between Israel and United States, or at least between Benjamin Netanyahu and the White House.

There are now many more risks than advantages, i just can't see how his strategy can succeed. This visit is going to show the depth of the rift between his government - and him personally - and the United States.

He won't get another invitation to the White House, he will be considered 'persona non grata', i don't expect a complete breakdown in the relationship, in terms of cooperation on security and the supply of weapons. But he is going to find a more hostile White House and State Department and he himself is burned.

His strategy is that he will leave Iran with the capability of having nuclear material, but will impose an inspection regime that will make it irrelevant. Obama also wants to elevate Iran to the position of regional policeman in the Middle East, responsible for regional stability. This policy is so far-fetched that any student of Middle East studies would understand it is like hallucinating!

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