More of Obama’s outreach dividend: Hassan Nasrallah, speaking from a secure, undisclosed location, says that Israel is going to destroy the Al-Aqsa mosque. Note the timing; tomorrow are Friday prayers for Muslims. Watch for riots. And oh, yeah—he thanked Syrian president Bashar Assad for bringing Druze leader Walid Jumblatt back into the fold. Smart power!
A drop in the ocean: Egyptians siezed 100 antiaircraft missiles and mortars in the Sinai, doubtlessly headed for the Gaza tunnels. Those tunnels are so ubiquitous now the Economist is writing about how they’re improving the Gaza economy at a faster rate than the West Bank’s economy. That’s funny. Catherine Ashton just told the UN and the world that Gazans are starving. Because that’s the narrative. What are you going to believe, the UN/EU or your lying eyes?
Iran’s Project Manhattan still full steam ahead: Shyeah, right, China’s on board for sanctions. And yet, they won’t confirm it. Smart power!
Yet somehow, Meryl, no one in the administration seems to be suggesting that the Palestinians might do a little trust-building themselves, such as lessening the constant spew of vile anti-Semitic incitement that flows from pretty much every possible Palestinian outlet. Note I’m not even suggesting a quantifiable undertaking like a building freeze, simply that they stop demonizing Israel and Jews a bit less. That seems to be more than the administration thinks it can comfortably ask.