Israel Orders 3rd Shot

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The United States and Israel are at odds about Iran.

The United States, along with the five other permanent members of the UN’s Security Council plus Germany are in serious talks with Iran about their nuclear development.

While that is happening, Israel attacked Iran’s Natanz nuclear lab knocking out their centrifuge system.

The United States made it very clear to Israel that they were unhappy about the attack. So Israel has agreed to step back and halt their aggressive strikes against Iran. The trade off is that Israel is expecting – or at least hoping, to have significant input into US and policy regarding Iran.

I would posit that Israel stepped up their strikes against Iranian targets in order to one day – which turns out to be now, pull back. Israel always intended to use these attacks as a valuable card to play with the United States.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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US & Israel at Odds

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The United States and Israel are at odds about Iran.

The United States, along with the five other permanent members of the UN’s Security Council plus Germany are in serious talks with Iran about their nuclear development.

While that is happening, Israel attacked Iran’s Natanz nuclear lab knocking out their centrifuge system.

The United States made it very clear to Israel that they were unhappy about the attack. So Israel has agreed to step back and halt their aggressive strikes against Iran. The trade off is that Israel is expecting – or at least hoping, to have significant input into US and policy regarding Iran.

I would posit that Israel stepped up their strikes against Iranian targets in order to one day – which turns out to be now, pull back. Israel always intended to use these attacks as a valuable card to play with the United States.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

Read my latest book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah

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Syrian Elections

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

This year, Spring is the season of Middle East elections.
Syria has announced that on May 26th they will hold presidential elections.

Assad will win a third term as president. These are not true elections and his win is a certainty.

The Assad family belongs to a minority group in Syria. They are Alawites. And Syria’s Alawites control their brutal security forces. Opposition is not tolerated. A part of the Syrian election law is that a candidate must have lived in Syria for the past 10 years.

There is no opposition within Syria.

In 2011, protests in Syria began in the south of the country. The protestors were asking for election and political reform. The protests were crushed and so began a civil war that has, for the past ten years, devastated the country.

The only question about Syria’s upcoming election is whether Bashar Assad will win 85% or 95% or even 98% of the vote.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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US Unhappy w Israeli Attacks

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The United States has made it known to Israel that they are displeased with the strikes on Iran.

The US is especially unhappy with Israel’s “boasting” about their success and claiming responsibility for the attacks - something that Israel has been loath to do in the past.

When there is an element of doubt it leaves the target, in this case Iran, questioning not just whether it was Israel but if the strike was a coordinated effort.
Was the United States involved? Was there intel from agencies from other countries? Were their neighboring countries involved?

The United States is concerned because Iran has announced that they are enriching uranium to 60%. That is 20 times the agreed upon enrichment level.

Because of strike on Natanz and the strikes on Iranian ships – all courtesy of Israel, the US is going to have a difficult time at the negotiation table in Vienna.

What we have here are two very arrogant nations. The United States is dictating to Israel. The US believes that they can tell the world what to do and what not to do. Israel, meanwhile, is telling the United States that they will do what is necessary in order to achieve safety for their citizens.

Neither country is about too change their point of view.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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PA Elections - Maybe?

 By Micah Halpern

Friday April 16, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Elections for the Palestinian legislature are scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 22nd.

Presidential elections are scheduled for July 31.

Polls are telling us that Fatah, the ruling party of the Palestinian Authority and the PLO, is having a difficult time getting a majority or - even a plurality.
Because of these polls, I anticipate that the elections will be postponed or even cancelled.

The Palestinians will blame it on Israel. They will claim that because Israel is not permitting Palestinians residing in Jerusalem to vote, they cannot hold a true election.

That of course is simply a smoke screen. It is a contrived excuse to save Fatah, with Abbas at its head, the embarrassment of losing. It really is a big deal. Losing this election would not just be an embarrassment – losing would mean the end of the Palestinian Authority and the end of Fatah as we know it.

In the meantime there are several parties that are contenders in this election.
They include Fatah and Fatah breakoffs - but Hamas is a contender as well.

If the elections take place there will be serious changes within the PA, if not a total implosion. The situation could certainly devolve into armed battle between factions.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Bidden Sanctions Russia

 By Micah Halpern

Thursday April 15, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

The Biden Administration has slapped Russia with a series of sanctions.

The announcement about these sanctions was unclear as to the timing. There was no date given for when these measures would take effect.

It did, however, explain that included in the sanctions will be a list of banned companies. Also included is the expulsion of diplomats. And finally, the sanctions will prevent US banks from buying any Russian bonds from Russia’s central bank, from their national wealth fund and from the Russian finance ministry.

This is a major step in the right direction. Russia has been a significant agitator in the US political arena and in US financial markets. When it comes to foreign affairs, the Russians tease and taunt the United States.

In response to the Biden announcement, Moscow said that they are considering a response which may also include counter sanctions against then United States. The Kremlin spokesperson explained that: "The principle of reciprocity for such matters has not been canceled, but everything will depend on the decisions made by the (Russian) head of state.”

Every decision in Russia, we all well know, is made by the head of state.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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