Opinion
Overcoming Obama’s foreign policy
Ophir Falk
Published: 22.10.12, 19:25
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31 Talkbacks for this article
1. Red line Bunk!
PJW5552 ,   Lexington, KY USA   (10.22.12)
This op-ed shows a clear lack of understanding of the issues facing American voters. The economy is recovering and Obama and the Democrats can take credit for it since the GOP did everything in their power to try and block progress. Regulations that prevent excess and abuses do not hurt business, but actually help establish trust critical to consumer confidence. As for a red line with Iran, that is something Israel demands, not the American people. Frankly, any candidate who starts inserting the US into another foreign conflict will likely lose public support come the election, period! Maybe Israel likes to engage in foreign wars, the US public does not!
2. "Stopping Iran", does that mean drawing...
Gunnar ,   Gothenburg, Sweden   (10.22.12)
...a line on a cartoon with a red pen? Or does it mean actually DOING SOMETHING?
3. Iranian Red Line
norm ,   California, USA   (10.22.12)
When you play poker do you show your opponents your cards during the game. NO! Declaring a red line is like showing Iran your cards, leaving you no room to maneuver. A supremely bad way to deal with Iran.
4. Republicans humanise
Zivron   (10.22.12)
The republicans need humanise so some reality on the social gap it's judeochristianity Islam in their progressive humanistic forms but aiming to keep the USA the best of the worst superpowers and keep the core traditions .No drama Obama is not so bad history does not repeat itself exactly for example military strategists who fight new wars like old wars often loose bad that's why they rotate the general staff in Israel every half a decade. The status quo is ok but ought have bands on the run..
5. You insultd me!
postroad ,   USA   (10.22.12)
Do you seriouslsy think I, an American Jew, should vote based on what a candidate says he will do for Israel and ignore all other things that affect my family's life and conerns? That is pure dumb talk Tbat said: neither candidate is going to draw the red line that your Bibi wants. Neither one. Get over it
6. Ignoring
Lorraine Conley ,   Tempe United States   (10.22.12)
What's TXE conditioning only IFs one ignores Obama's indictable federal offences (crimes) against THE United States of America
7. Falk and ilk
Eldar ,   Haifa   (10.22.12)
Wake up in the morning, try to think how they are going to disparage Obama, write up some baseless nonsense, quote themselves as proof that Obama is bad for Israel. This is getting plain boring. Just glad that 70% of American Jewry is smarted than this. Oh yes, that same 70% is anti-Semitic, anti-American, anti-Israel... So boring.
8. No US President will attack Iran
Barry ,   Boston   (10.22.12)
No matter what the candidates say, no president is going to attack Iran. The American voter is not going to want to pay for another war. The American voter will throw out the president who caused oil prices to spike due to this war. Get real. This is not news to Iran. Red lines are not going to be enforced and Iran knows it.
9. What?!! Just for the sake of israel the Average American
Peter ,   Vienna-Austria   (10.22.12)
Should vote for Romney so that you in israel could be all happy?! How lower can one get is beyond me....
10. #5 Insult
Igor ,   Germany   (10.22.12)
A core value in Judaism is to do what is right, and not what serves your and your family's egoistic interests. Do you think it's right that Iran gets the nuclear umbrella and under its cover wages terror and conventional wars throughout the Middle East? Get over it: There will be a war in the Middle East. The only thing you can influence is whether you'll fight a nuclear or a non-nuclear Iran.
11. Are you for real?
Shlomo ,   USA   (10.22.12)
Why is it that Israelis always think they know what is good for the USA and for American Jews. You do not live here.
12. i Too Am Against Red LInes
Noah Lev ,   Los"angelesUSA   (10.22.12)
While the poster who says no way Iran to determine his vote, and is obviously upset, he has a point. Polls show US citizens do not give it a priority on top..except perhaps to avoid war at any costs. After 10yrs of a no win policy in 2 wars, and trillions spent, 6000 dead, who wants another? Prior to WW2, 85% did not want war with Germany. 70 dead later, and our side almost losing (US was the next target for Hitlers Waffen SS divisions), Pearl Harbor changed our mindsets. Hitler said, heck the US discriminates against Jews/blacks.so why pick on us? This time however, we have the upper hand. We can waste Iran, or as the actress says on Criminal Minds, "end you". Iran has successfully put Israel in between it and the rest of the free world. Red lines demanded, are a non-starter. Both Israel, the US and the West should however make it clear to Ahmad, that his days and his regime are numbered. Better to stop their enrichment NOW, OR face a disaster later. And mean it. Iran willnever attack US directly..but 40,000 suicide bombers and USING surrogates is on the table. They already have missile boats off our coasts threatening our cities. Food for thought. And what if they attack Saudi Arabia will we just stand by caus our people are tired of war?
13. Too much americans on this talkbacks
Yossef   (10.22.12)
14. "talk softly and
arne ,   chicago usa   (10.22.12)
carry a big stick" an often used phrase that israel should adhear too. way to much table talk for a 'big league" player.no "red lines", no threats need be given, just a warning--"do not monkey with us if you know what's good for you". that's all that should be said--period!!! uncle sam need not openly get involved.
15. Red lines, please!
Avi ,   NYC, USA   (10.22.12)
Red lines should be presented to Israel: Withdraw from the territories, remove the settlements, pay back the money stolen from US taxpayers, prosecute Rabbis who preach hate OR... ...hordes of Goyim are going to teach you how to behave.
16. Hypocritical and Undemocratic.
Alex ,   Washington, DC   (10.22.12)
How do you like it when Americans and other tell Israelis how they should decide their own elections? "Israelis should boot out Bibi as quickly as possible because he is undermining a) possibility of peace with Palestinians, b) being a terrible friend and ally to the U.S., and c) isolating Israel diplomatically and otherwise on the international sphere." Israel is an important component of our foreign policy in the US. It isn't the only component. Americans will vote as they see fit (though you can take heart to know that Americans generally are as hawkishly zionist as you hope they'll be).
17. #10
POSTROAD ,   USA   (10.22.12)
Sir what serves my nation comes first. You suggest that nuking Iran serves my nation. I have been in a war. How many have you been in?Obama said Iran would not get the nuke under his presidency. Isael now says it will go along with diplomacy. Romney said the same thing...but you expect something else? why not then call the White Hose and tell them that calls for doing what is right and you are the right one to know what is right.
18. Oil/gas prices are going down - Bad sign for Romney ,...
split ,   US   (10.22.12)
By the way how many sons is he going to send to Iran ? ,...
19. American Jewry comments are
SD Charger ,   San Diego   (10.23.12)
simply stated for THEIR own benefit. They live comfortably here and think Iran is not even dangerous. The US President better have Israel as his #1 priority, period. Quit thinking about how good you have it here and think about our other brothers and sisters in Israel for once.
20. Above talkbacks have been paid for by
GOP Romney Supporter   (10.23.12)
the Democrats that are scared sh*tless that the party is about to end, that they are about to lose the elections, will need to stop living off tax payers and return to work like the patriotic Americans that they claim to be. The writer is right.
21. Gas prices in California recently spiked to $5/gal
spyguy ,   seattle usa   (10.23.12)
and Californians howled in protest. How do you think Americans will react to $10 or $20/gal gas? If it is caused by a war that Israel started, how do you think Americans will react to Israel? There is no one in the US that will support any war with Iran and it is time for Israelis to understand that. If Romney gets elected and allows a war to start, he will be impeached and removed within weeks and Ryan will have only a few days to stop the war or face the same fate. Americans like the "good life" and will absolutely NOT tolerate anyone that takes that away. Be real careful Israel what you start because it could lead to a very BAD future for Israel.
22. unfortunately
dedicated fan   (10.23.12)
neither candidate will set a clear red line. And if they did, would you believe them?
23. THE REAL RED LINES
Frank-el ,   Seattle USA   (10.23.12)
Won't be drawn by Bibi on a cardboard bomb... The real red lines will be more American blood in the sand... And red ink in the books of the US Treasury. Falk and his merry band of followers could care less about the US and our sons and daughters...just as long as it serves Israel.
24. Op-ed--Israelis should stay out of our election
arik ,   usa   (10.23.12)
25. #23 get the Jew
israel israeli ,   tel aviv   (10.23.12)
I am always amazed at people who want to get the Jew, even at the price of suicide. October 10, 680 Sunni massacre Shiites in the Battle of Karbala. July 3, 1988 US forces murder 66 Iranian children. Fast-forward to 2013, imagine you are Iranian and you just happen to have nukes. Do you sing Kumbaya while the Sunni steal oil from Shi'ite lands under cover of American weapons so that Americans can buy cheap gas? Or do you get revenge by taking that oil from the Sunni and then watch as the Americans beg you for the oil?
26. Red Line
Canadian Jew   (10.23.12)
In the recent debate, Obama said he "drew a red line to Egypt", concenring their commitments. Why has he refused to draw a red line to Iran? It would make things much easier and clearer as to where he stands. Obama says he will back Israel if attacked. Why do we have to wait for her to be attacked again? It is absolutly legitamite for an American that has a vast range of interest and also happens to be Jewish to vote for Obama (there will be over 60% of american Jews that do that) . But I can not understand why an American Jew who has Israel as a top priority would vote Obama.
27. #21. Wake up bro!
Tom W ,   USA   (10.23.12)
What will you do when the Islamists, - (Arabs, Persians) and not the Israelis start a general war in the M.E.? Your prophet, the Magic N is encouraging them to do just that. Your hatred of the Jews is noted but your comrades, the Reds and the Jihadist are far more prone to cause upheaval than the Israelis. All you can do is to buy a car from Solyndra, borne out of the Kenyan's fantasy.
28. USA
George ,   Rochester NY   (10.23.12)
Sunnis butcher Shiites, Shiites butcher Sunnis..USA is the military arm of the Sunni Kingdoms, American blood is shed for the Sunnis, American treasure is spend to protect the Sunnis, American officials are on the the Sunni payroll (Carter, Bush....) and Walla...Walla... Walla... it's all the Jews!
29. #1,5,8,9,21,23 speak as if Iran is only Israel's problem
Tahl   (10.23.12)
Seventy five years ago people thought Hitler is only Czechoslovakia's problem.
30. they are not going to start now
Dor ,   Israel   (10.25.12)
No matter what they say, no president is going to attack Iran. The USA didnt stop Pakistan, North-Korea, or Syrian nuclear program. they are not going to start now, and Iran knows it.
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