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July 31, 2009
Avigdor Lieberman--An Israeli Joe Biden?
Avigdor Lieberman has been painted as an extremist and a serious
liability for Netanyahu, and it is true that Lieberman is a
controversial figure, J. E. Dyer adds:
But what Lieberman has been doing since assuming office is working on one of Israel's greatest security concerns: isolation. Lieberman has been the principal actor in Israel's charm offensive with Russia, China, Europe, and now Latin America, with the agenda of strengthening relations and obtaining broad cooperation in discouraging Iran's development of nuclear weapons.
Lieberman's native Russian ties give him, it has been postulated, an edge in discussions with Moscow -- an analysis that highlights the growing importance to Israel of leverage and goodwill beyond the relationship with the U.S. The trip to Latin America this month represents even more clearly a new policy direction, being the first such visit by an Israeli foreign minister in more than two decades. Netanyahu is scheduled for a visit of his own in November, an even rarer event. Israel's hope is not only to strengthen ties with regional governments and get cooperation against Iran but also to counter Iran's own extensive inroads into Latin America.
The latter initiative is emblematic of a U.S.-independent tone emerging in Israel's foreign policy. Lieberman's visit to Russia carried such hints as well, producing an emphasis on a common view with Sergei Lavrov regarding the regional dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the need to bring the Saudis and other regional nations into any peace plan.
Analysts who draw their conclusions from a "weak Bibi" perspective -- one that assumes Netanyahu must live with Lieberman and not let him do too much -- could be missing a more important trend. Lieberman may not be the go-to man for relations with the United States while those relations center on demands regarding the settlements. But Israel cannot allow the settlements issue to bog down its own broader security policy. And Israel's spearheading of efforts outside the U.S. relationship appears to be accomplished via Lieberman.
Apparently is sort of Israel's version of Joe Biden--without the gaffes.
by Daled Amos
Hezbollah in passive voice
A cynical and mistrusted offer
Wapo: peace process succeeding because of the great work of the administration
Council speak 100610
Nyt: peace process failing despite the great work of the administration
Do we have enough regulations yet?
Iranian General: "US, Mossad played roles in 9/11 event"
Absolving arafat, ten years later
Rahm can't run? antisemites!
The politics of peace
I would say that Lieberman is what Obama tried to convince the American people what Joe Biden would be (though he failed even during the campaign). An actual comparison of the two would be an insult to Lieberman. Biden is an ignorant fool who pretends to have "foreign policy expertise" and who appears to have been thoroughly marginalized. Lieberman appears to be in the position of a pwerful Secretary of State (perhaps John Foster Dulles or Henry Kissinger?).
Perhaps.
But Lieberman still is a lightning rod for criticism both at home and abroad that Israel can do without. If the above evaluation is accurate, he has the opportunity to prove himself.
Posted by: Daled Amos at July 31, 2009 2:31 PMComparing Biden to Liberman (or vice-versa) is an insult to Lieberman. Biden is a light-weight idiot prone to making truely remarkable gaffes.
Lieberman, while I don't always agree with his positions, is smart, has a very ''strategic'' view of policy, & contrary to his phoney image created by a left-wing media, is actually quite moderate.