BAKER NOTABLE

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/05/israel-us-iran-syria-russia-benjamin-netanyahu-donald-trump.html

Al-Monitor has learned from an Israeli security source that during these discussions, the United States promised Israel full and total support on all fronts. While US support is a given on the diplomatic front — that is, at the UN Security Council and in the international arena — they also spoke about military support. If a regional war does break out, the United States will immediately make its position clear, express support for Israel and send Moscow the right signals. This is to ensure that Russian President Vladimir Putin stays out of the conflict and does not try to intervene, whether directly or indirectly, on behalf of his allies, Iran and Syria. Upon returning from Washington, Liberman informed the prime minister that he had received a “green light” in security matters. The joint US-Israeli plan, which could also be called the Trump-Netanyahu plan, was on its way….

The coordination between the two men does seem perfect. It is closer than any coordination of this sort between the leaders of the United States and Israel.

All said, however, it must be emphasized that the bulk of the work still lies ahead. So far, Netanyahu and Trump have put quite a few miles under their belts, but it is all talk rather than deeds. Trump may speak tough, but he is still moving ahead with his policy of withdrawal from the Middle East. Meanwhile, Netanyahu has so far avoided any real military clashes or adventurism. They still have more than one ordeal ahead and they won’t be easy, as they will now be tested by their actions. These ordeals will determine the fate of their joint plan to defeat Iran.