Sitting Ducks
Updated: Jun 16, 2022
September 20, 2019
So much has happened over the past few weeks! Well...really the last few months. I'll have to get us up to speed on this story. The article below provides a great summary of the recent news and I recommend reading it. Though, if you're pressed for time, here's a quick rundown of the story so far:
On April 9th, early elections were called in Israel in the wake of a controversial bill and corruption charges leveled at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The results of that election were very surprising: Netanyahu tied with his biggest political opponent, Benny Gantz! Each candidate was seeking to win a majority of seats in the Knesset (the equivalent of a parliament). The minimum number required to form a majority government is 61, but both candidates fell short, securing only 35 seats each. It was the first time a majority government failed to form in Israel's 71 year history. The newly formed 21st Knesset voted to dissolve a month later, in favor of having an unprecedented second round of elections.
That second round of elections just finished on September 17th with Netanyahu winning the people's vote, but STILL failing to form a government to properly begin another term. This time Netanyahu won 60 Knesset seats, falling short of a majority government by only one seat! These two failures have resulted in Israel being thrust into a state of political limbo. Netanyahu is still technically the prime minister, but he's severely limited in what he can do in that role. Israel is more vulnerable now, as Netanyahu is unable to proactively defend against future attacks, and also prevented from seizing opportunities to partner with other nations in the name of national security.
Could we be looking at an unprecedented third round of elections? Will Israel be attacked during this time of political deadlock? We'll have to wait and see.
The strategic cost of Israel's instability
September 29, 2019
"Iran seeks to build military infrastructure in Damascus; Russia stands in opposition to Tehran’s plan; Russia said to be in fear of a military response from Israel should they allow Iran to carry out this plan."
Remember, Russia is interested in the survival of Assad's regime in Syria because they ultimately want the wealth of Syria (in the form of natural gas and oil). Russia needs that wealth to bolster their failing economy. Should harm come to Assad and/or his regime that plan could be ruined, and Israel has been executing military strikes on Iran consistently for months now. I'd say Russia's fear is warranted.
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