Is this Obama?

Something is starting to crack in the American president’s too-perfect image; the man who up until a few days ago was portrayed as an omnipotent leader who can change the world.

The irresolute words he directed at North Korea in the wake of the nuclear test, and the words he mutters in Iran’s direction in the face of the unrest on its streets raise a first doubt whether this man is truly the hero of the neighborhood, who is here to bring world peace, or whether he is just a talented speaker who has talented speech-writers.

And perhaps it’s only us, Israelis, who want to see him bring down all our enemies, both near and distant, and we are disappointed to see them still living, breathing, and kicking?

From far away, that is, from Israel, it appears as though a direct line connects North Korea and Iranm and that a hesitant response invited provocative statements from Pyongyang and from Tehran, as if America is whispering: We are not as heroic as our words indicate. Oy-Bama, come on already!

Disastrous recipe for Israel

Actually, think again. Many Israelis will take pleasure in reading the above: Great, let them falter. Let the whole world see that the Americans are not such heroes; they should wait with their demands on the outposts and settlements and we’ll already show them how it’s done.

However, I believe that a United States with a weak, hesitant image that anyone can fool is a disastrous recipe for Israel.

Indeed, it is true that we must rely on our own strength and power, yet the belligerent world still respects us because the US allows us to lean on its shoulder. We would do well to remember that.