I'll never forget the moment in the early GOP debates when Trump went on and on about China's involvement in the TPP, then Rand Paul interjected to point out, "maybe Mr. Trump doesn't realize this, but China is NOT a party to the TPP." To me, this was an "all-hat, no cattle" moment to point out that he didn't really understand what he was talking about and SHOULD have ended his candidacy. But who cares about details, facts and huge, huge blunders? And now, he's President.
73
I do not like Trump but that isn't a reason to be against everything he is for.
Moving the embassy isn't a new idea.
The Democrats had it first. https://hotair.com/archives/2017/12/06/moving-israel-embassy-terrible-sa...
Senator Chuck Schumer the minority leader for the Democratic party advised Trump to move the embassy.
Was he giving anything away.
This was not a simple decision and to denounce it as if only Trump and his evil supporters were for it is just ignorant.
Many like myself who oppose Trump approved the actions he took t
Trump did the right thing.
13
You're only giving it away if the Israeli's are the ones you want to squeeze.
11
A few facts for the uninformed like Mr. Friedman. In 1947, the UN declared that Jerusalem was to be an international city, even though the city had only be the capital of the Jews. In May 1948, the Jordanians and five other Arab nations invaded the newly born Jewish state. The Jordanians quickly and illegally took over the Old City and destroyed every single Jewish holy site, except the Western Wall, which supports the Temple Mount and the Mosques. For 19 years, Jews were forbidden to enter their holy sites, or what remained of them.
In 1967, believing President Nassar's propaganda of victory against Israel, Jordan attacked Israel. Israel regained Jerusalem, cleaned up the very neglected city, and opened it to all religions.
Israel, in the Balfour Declaration, was supposed to encompass what is today Jordan, Israel and the Golan Heights. Jordan was cut away in 1922 for an Arab land, one of 22 formed from the Ottoman empire. Then, the English cut away more of the land for the Arabs that poured into Israel after the Jews drained the malarial ridden swamps, built factories, schools, farms, and hospitals. That was not enough, and Jewish lands were continuously attacked.
We have had enough. We are not the head bowed, victims that Friedman desires of his fellow Jews. We fight back. Jerusalem is ours, and always will be ours.
22
In 1995, the US Congress passed a law requiring America to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Proponents said the US should respect Israel's choice of Jerusalem as its capital, and recognize it as such. This is has been in the making for nearly 25 years, leave it to the NYT to blame Trump. #Whatever
16
'You have never seen a President give away so much and get nothing"?-- you forget Obama's give away to the Iranian Mulah's in his 'nuclear non-deal deal" ? Come on , Dr Friedman!!
13
Trump got snookered.
Dog bites man.
3
Another Joe states And, no, I do not think that this sort of principled discussion would be antisemitic.... why do you think he needs to end his paragraph with this?
1
genius tom
What Thomas Friedman may not realize is that Donald Trump just paid off a campaign debt. Sheldon Adelson gave him almost 90 million was it and wanted Jerusalem acknowledged as the capital of Israel. He got it.
35
Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free. Now the Israelis have no need or desire to offer any concessions to the Palestinians during the Middle East process[or lack of].
14
This is a heartfelt message to all Arab brothers and sisters worldwide: The majority of American people are NOT against you. Yes, some racist idiots are close-minded and afraid of « the other », (including Trump), ... just like bigots in your countries. BUT most Americans embrace you as friends. Please do not let this crazy president turn you against the American people. This unbalanced president does not speak for the Majority! My hometown in Virginia has become even more beautiful because of the International Rescue Committee. Yes, despite the news of the hateful protest here, we are a welcoming and peaceful city. We have embraced people from all over the world and will continue to do so. Our mosque is lovely and welcoming. I went there recently for an open house and felt so welcome and embraced by its members. Hold on Muslim friends across the world. Our common humanity will prevail despite the evil-doers. Blessings.
21
What we don't know is what Blotus will get personally for these giveaways. I have no doubt that he is always aware of his personal self-interest and is thinking of how to eventually profit from everything he is doing in the Whitehouse.
20
It has been 70 years since The Palestinians and several Arab nations tried to destroy the new state of Israel. 50 years since Israel was able to reunify Jerusalem after Egypt, Syria and Jordan attacked Israel.
The Israelis have shown good faith in negotiating peace during this period including Camp David under Bill Clinton.
Israel unilaterally pulled out of Gaza in 2006 and we all hoped that The Palestinians could demonstrate to the world that they could democratically run Gaza. Instead the Palestinians elected Hamas, a Palestinian Civil War ensued, and eventually even Egypt was forced to close its border with Gaza thanks to terrorists coming from Gaza to kill Egyptian soldiers in Sinai.
Jerusalem, the capital of The Jews from 3000 years ago and the only capital of a Jewish nation should not be redivided any more than Berlin should be redivided or Paris, London, or Washington DC be divided.
Thanks to an Shia Muslim Iran that is now developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, the Sunni Muslim Arab states such as Saudi Arabia no longer have the luxury of demonizing Israel, a country that they never had to fear. These Sunni Muslim nations now understand that now their ally is hi-technology Israel.
These nations also understand that the Palestinians had plenty of opportunities for peace over the past 7 decades, with no realistic negotiations.
We can hope that the Palestinians *elect* a *realistic* leadership that will negotiate peace. I do.
18
“Why in the world would you just give this away for free and not even use it as a lever to advance the prospect of an Israeli-Palestinian deal?”
That’s an easy one. Because he doesn’t have the slightest idea what he’s doing.
33
I am overwhelmed by today's columns by Friedman and Edsall. We are at the mercy of an administration that has no moral or ethical center. We are living in a country that the free world is wondering whether the earth is really flat as Mr Friedman has written. The ship of state is now being held captive by a rudderless captain who could not read the compass, forget GPS even if he had grounded advisors brave enough to teach him.
10
Many, if not most, of Trump's and Israel's Jewish supporters do not understand the long game of Israel's Evangelical supporters of Israel. They do not know that for the Evangelicals, the Holy Land and the return of all Jews to it is merely a tool for achieving the second coming of Jesus, which requires that Israel ultimately must be destroyed as part of Armageddon, the Rapture, etc.
15
This move might be the end of the two state option that was discussed for so long. It will hurt Jewish interests in the long term
6
The attempt to hold Jerusalem as a card to deal has failed for 60 years. A better prospect is to remove the issue from the table (along with the so called "right of return") and leave the parties to negotiate what remains - security, self rule and economic viability. Tom is foolish to suggest that a deal can only (or best) be made by holding back cards to play. Sometimes to remove those cards leads to agreement and a true diplomat understands that.
3
BTW, the TPP is not dead. The 11 other countries are working on an agreement that does not include the USA.
12
Mr. Friedman, did you criticize The Congress in 1995 for passing this Law?
7
The "...Art of the Giveaway"? Maybe Trump is just tired of winning.
7
Everything is right on, except for the TPP which had considerable geopolitical logic as Freidman explains but very little economic logic for average Americans, inasmuch as the TPP was largely a WPA for Big Pharma and trade lawyers, who would get lots of work in arbitration, meant to override U.S. consumer, labor and environmental legislation.
Now of course, Trump is undoing just about all such protections, which should have meant, were it not for Trump's Obama-\phobia, that the TPP was a natural for Trump's super-rich backers, though not for his base.
5
Trump did NOTHING NEW: he made a promise to move the US embassy to Jerusalem--the same promise Congress made in 199e. Sucessive Presidents have signed 'waivers' postponing that move.
In case you missed it--right after announcing that he promises to move the embassy to Jerusalem, he signed another waiver delaying the move. Really--look it up. Trump needed a diversion, so he set a very costly dumpster fire, that's all. He'll be long gone when the bill comes due.
11
I'm sad for our county, especially my children and grandchildren who will be affected by this president's action or inaction for decades.
Vote elected Trump supporters out of office asap.
8
I love Mr. Friedman and this is so perfect.
"Trump is susceptible to such giveaways, not only because he is ignorant, but because he does not see himself as the president of the United States. He sees himself as the president of his base."
It has always been so strange to me that someone who thrives on the adoration of people is so quick to make people hate him. I had hoped that once he became President, he'd tone it down and compromise with different groups. Instead of being liked by most, he is loved by some and hated by many.
9
The reason that the 2 state solution that Friedman writes of never happened, and as a result the conflict and killing continue has only one cause. And that is that since that solution has been proposed to the two parties the Israelis have sat at every one of the peace talks held over the past 27 years with all seriousness and were prepared to accept the solution and sign a peace deal.
And at every one of the peace talks held over the past 27 years the Palestinians picked themselves up and walked off without so much as offering a reason as to why they were doing so.
What is clear is that the Palestinians believe there is no consequence to them walking away from every peace talks and instead deciding they want to both continue the conflict and play the victim on the world stage. How their kids are so helplessly enraged at the lack of any hope that they simply cannot control themselves from breaking into Jewish homes in the settlements and slaughtering innocent civilalians. Or how the people of Gaza feel their only option is to rain down rockets with the sole purpose of killing civilians every 2 or 3 years.
The new Trump policy tells the Palestinians that US policy is now that it is no longer waiting for the Palestinians to finally come around. And this is a warning to them that if they simply walk away from the talks Trump plans on conducting, like they always do, there will be a serious price to pay. And that US policy may change to there not being a next talks.
7
What a surprise. Mr. Trump is also a horrible negotiator. We do however now know the going price for bought and paid for American foreign policy. Mr. Adelson paid $21.5 million to the president who is so wealthy that he did not need any political donations.
5
Stop blaming Trump alone. Blame Republicans in equal measure!
If Republicans were more sensible, Trump would not be president at this point in time.
3
For some time I have suspected that the two state solution was an unrealistic, if not delusional, goal. Trump's decision confirms my suspicions. The time has come to prepare for a one state solution, to begin thinking seriously about the civil rights of all the residents of Israel/Palestine.
4
No surprise and zero respect for US plutocracy... Jerusalem recognition is the ultimate proof Trump is a narcissist.
We all in Holland laugh about Trump. Advice would be let US potential president candidates in future first pass “a free from NPD (narcissistic personality disorder)”-test. This in order to guarantee that the international community maintains respect for US as a rational democracy.
4
A giveaway that doesn't make sense could indicate blackmail.
5
In one brilliant commentary Thomas Friedman has said all that needs to be said about Donald Trump. Everything else is now prologue.
2
Friedman may be correct on the TPP, but his anti-Israel bias is showing. He proposes that it is Israel who must be coerced into entering a peace deal by withholding US recognition of Jerusalem is Israel's capital. In fact, the Palestinians have rejected every peace deal proposed by the US government; they demand Israel's suicide. That is the Palestinian definition of "peace."
With our recognition of the reality of Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish people and of the Jewish state, perhaps the Palestinians will give up their intransigence and enter into real peace negotiations.
5
Thanks a lot Donald, you might as well paint a bullseye on the backs of all US citizens abroad. Is your actual motive to create martyrs as an excuse to escalate a military confrontation?
4
If Steve Bannon, Alex Jones, Fox and Friends, and Sean Hannity all agree that Trump did the right thing in a particular situation, that’s the only confirmation he needs. They’re his Brain Trust.
Reminds me of when Groucho pointed to Harpo and said, “He’s the brains of the outfit. Gives you an idea of what the rest of the outfit looks like.”
9
Thomas Friedman would have liked something in return, such as preventing more Jewish settlements. However, that would be unjust.
If anyone drew a line or built a wall dividing Manhattan, insisting Jews not move across the line -- obviously, that would be morally repugnant.
Friedman's argument for his opposition to settlements is political, to separate Israelis and Palestinians.
He advocates a morally repugnant policy for the sake of political correctness.
5
Thomas Friedman has just crystallized the effect of the 'Trump Doctrine' in global affairs. The US led alliance of states is being geographically surrendered to both Russia & China. The decision to 'giveaway' Jerusalem as described can only result in the Middle East looking to Russia for support. China has no motivation to constrain North Korea whilst the US blusters about trade (TPP, etc). Asian countries are reading the situation as an abandonment which plays directly into China's longer term objectives.
Russia & China do not need to conduct any foreign policy when the 'Trump Doctrine' is executing their agenda to perfection.
13
Thomas, nice piece, and I think you covered well the giveaway FROM, but I had hoped you might also touch on the giveaway TO.
By this Jerusalem action, Trump inflames instability in the MidEast, and thereby will tend to raise the price of oil, a giveaway to Koch, Tillerson, and all of Trump's fossil fuel contingent, including Russia....at the expense of the rest of the Western economies which will have higher operating costs based on their fuel use. One might also say that this is a giveaway TO American defense contractors who can now sell weapons to both sides of any MidEast conflict. With Trump, it is always "follow the money" no doubt because his IQ is much more developed than his conscience.
11
Being much more developed than his conscience isn't saying much.
2
The editorial 'nails it'. Trump could have easily stated that he supports a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem. Not a big concession....since I believe that a tacit agreement on this point between Israel and the Palestinians already exists. And this would have taken all the wind out of the sails of the 'Arab nation'. Trump has always confused being a great negotiator with the way he runs his company, where he has all the leverage and behaves like a bully. With TPP, rather than opening a door to further negotiation, Trump walked away and the Chinese are simply sitting back and watching him give away any leverage. that we have in the Asian centered markets. Must be incredibly tough for his senior staff to be working for him.
5
You are saying Trump is giving away things for free. I wouldn't be so sure. Certainly the US is losing these things without any recompense, but is Trump and his business empire? I would bet he stands to make plenty under the table. Don't forget, the amount of time and money he spent to get the Presidency was a business expense, one he intends to recoup in spades. Working for or caring about the national interest? Ha, what a naïve notion!
9
Don't forget the local votes and donors he secured, too.
The largest give away is America's lack of any credibility. People that lie routinely will not be able to make a deal; because a deal requires trust between the partners.
3
In a nutshell Mr Friedman captures the essence of the foreign policy juggernaut known as the Trump Doctrine. Please write that book because Trump is indeed a chump. You, however, deal in factual detail that completely escapes him. We need much, much more of that going into the next two election cycles. Many thanks.
2
This declaration was not made to make Netanyahu happy. There are plenty of Israelis - even among those that believe that Jerusalem is its capital -who know that this was a lunatic step that can lead to Israeli, Palestinian and US deaths. This was a present to his evangelical supporters. Everything he does is meant to satisfy his supporters, that’s been his modus operandi from the start. He chose this time because the schedule for the US president to issue the waiver preventing the implementation of the Senate’s 1995 bill mandating that Jerusalem be recognized as Israel’s capital (approve 93-5, with only one Democrat dissenting) to protect US security concerns was at hand, and Trump can’t alienate evangelicals at a time he is in trouble - and Roy Moore is running for Senate in Alabama. This particularly crazy declaration was not made with Netanyahu in mind. That Thomas Friedman neglected to mention this aspect of Trump’s decision is irresponsible
3
President Clinton offered the Palestinians almost everything they wanted but could not get to "YES" on a "peace deal with their leadership. Israeli's have made many sacrifices towards a deal; see Gaza where they ejected their own people and were repaid with a vast underground tunnel system from which they were bombarded with rockets. President Trump is doing what Bush and Obama promised. Imagine that.
14
I just came back from a trip to HK and China where I spent more than a decade living and working before I retired. I was shocked to experience first hand how America has become a beacon of hope and admiration to a beacon of ridicule and derision since Trump has become president. Nobody there take Trump, hence the U.S., seriously. In one year, our idiotic POTUS has torn down what his predecessors have built over the last 50.
10
On a trip in Vienna this summer I was asked at most of the vendors I stopped at in the large open air market how he got elected and if he would make 4 years. I either pleaded ignorance (because I don't know) or said I wasn't from the US but California.
2
Here, too.
1
The Art Of The Bad Deal (haiku trilogy)
"Trump's deals have no quid - pro quo; he always receives - nothing in return"
"Trump's Jerusalem - giveaway puts U.S. Troops - in greater danger"
"Trump gives away the - farm every time he deals with - another leader"
2
If US exports are paying extra duties in TPP countries that export into the US without reciprocal arrangements, US need only start applying duties to those countries' goods. That's likely how Trump thinks about trade. Canada is finding TPP problematic for a different reason: trying to negotiate it at the same time as the impossible NAFTA talks poisoned by Trumpism. Given the peripheral comments of the announcement, Jerusalem is strictly symbolic - if there is a two state solution, East Jerusalem will still be there. "Right of return' will never fly - maybe some form of compensation could be arranged.
1
I’ve always thought that Trump is not understanding that he is the President, the President of the most powerful and important country in the world. Well, now, I figured out that I’m right. How can you think that this decision won’t cause anything? Israel has always been an unstable state, but probably Trump is not smart enough to understand this, because a clever person wouldn’t had made this move. If he continues to do this, I think that Usa’s leadership is at stake.
1
While I empathize with the feelings of entitlement the Israelis feel towards Jerusalem, this unilateral decision by Donald Trump will put American lives in danger. Wherever an American travels in the Middle East and certain parts of Asia there will be fundamentalist Muslims who are angry about this ill-conceived decision. It is possible that terrorist incidents may rise in both Europe and the United States. At the very least, our country has lost all of its credibility. Donald Trump's base doesn't have a clear understanding of the history or the ramifications of the Israeli and Palestinian relationship.
4
How is this a ill conceived decision.
It is just the opposite.
Congress had voted to make this move.
This includes the Democrats.
8
I live in Australia. We, and the rest of the non-US TPP countries, are moving ahead with the TPP. Australia’s government has just released a white paper on its future long term foreign policy interests, and that paper is quite blunt: Australia can no longer rely on the US, so must forge its positions, especially in relation to our largest trading partner China, without regard to the US.
Australia is not alone in this thinking.
11
Just to remind everyone: The TPP with the US in the lead was negotiated in secret. Australians feared that they would be hit by US prices for essential medicines.
With the rest of the TPP alliance
moving into the non-US phase,
Australians and everyone else expects a non-US centric deal.
2
Trump loves Trump. this we know. And so if some semblance of peace was feasible in the middle east, Trump would slap his name on that and take credit. But there's no quick and easy path to peace in the middle east, and Trump likes quick and easy. Also, Trump's web of lies and cover-ups are beginning to sprout up like weeds in a garden, and he knows this. I suspect Trump very much does not want peace in the middle east and will now do anything he can to distract away form himself, even if it means creating world wide instability. I think he knows exactly the order of events likely occur by declaring Jerusalem the capital of Israel, and it isn't peace. He'll do anything to maintain power. I only pray that the dirt comes out on him before he;s dragged us all into a nuclear war (blaming others all the way).
2
Trump is working for the trump rand, donors, creditors, customers, other billionaires and his outsized ego. Assuming he works for the good of the USA or anyone for that matter who isn’t in one of these spheres makes total sense. The Trump brand just took a major boost in Israel, which like the USA, is essentially an Oligarchy run by a few very wealthy families, many with real estate as the basis. Look for some big Trump deals in Israel soon. I’m guessing that one of his Middle Eastern deals in an Arab country just went south and this is what triggered this. The only peace he’s interested in is his piece of the pie.
9
3 points: (1) maybe Trump felt he was doing the right thing and that acceding to this long held wish of Israel would make Israel more cooperative in a peace process ; (2) I have not heard a peep from Christians, who fully understand that an Israeli Jerusalem will allow full religious freedom; (3) Jews were NOT ALLOWED to worship in pre 1967 Jordan and, oh, by the way, only Jordan, not “Palestinians,” have the ex sovereign rights on this land. It was occupied from Jordan by Israel in 1967. Palestinians are nothing but ex Jordanians who lost the Jordanian civil war and were expelled in so called “ Black September.” Learn the history, folks!
7
Destroying National Parks in Utah this week or destroying the Palestinian Sprits in the West Bank and Gaza just now is the same thing: irrelevant.
Ah, spoken like a true New Yorker! Destroying National Parks anywhere is an issue, an illegal move and in Utah done to spite trump's predecessor. Protecting these Parks, protecting the environment should be an important issue for all. Please stay in NYC, you along with trump, apparently have no appreciation of iconic landscapes, conservation or outdoor recreation, not to mention Native American rights. Mountains, wildlife, red rock canyons, open space, blue skies . . . always preferable to skyscrapers, starless skies, urine soaked subways and gilded 5th avenue buildings.
Mr. Friedman, when he leaves office in a couple or sooner so couldn't the new POTUS change it back? We all know the man is mentally challenged and never met a lie he didn't like and perhaps when the Dems get back in they'll reverse all of harm this beast has caused.
P.S. i like the title of the book.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
1
Netanyahu is under serious investigation in Israel for corruption. Like Trump he, too, needs the diversion.
Some past historians have posed the idea that history is made by a few great men. The more accepted view today is those great men are formed by social pressures.
Put those two ideas together. The result is self serving egotistical men take advantage of social change and unrest for their personal issues. The rest of humanity pays the price.
Netanyahu has always imagined himself writing another chapter in the old testament with himself as the Jewish savior and the next King David. Emptyheaded Trump dances to the tune of yet another puppetmaster.
3
To Trump the developer this just another real estate deal. He sells his brand and someone else pays the costs. Netanyahu thinks he got a bargain. He will just be another greedy guy who trusted Trump.
4
"Today, Trump just gave it away — for free."
Trumps don't give anything ... ever. We'll probably learn the details of the backdeal during a future election.
4
Who is to say that trump got nothing, maybe he got trump hotel deals from both China and Isreal. We have never seen his tax returns. He has never divested himself of any of his family businesses. Maybe just maybe he was promised fianancing from one or both of these countries to rearrange his personal and corporate heavy debt. Trump is always first and foremost about trump.
8
War with North Korea would please his base, as well. It is amazing that Trump
only cares about 35%of the country. They seem capable of keeping him in office
because the other 65% don't care enough.
4
Trump is in the Dunning-Kruger zone...and it will continue to get worse.
5
The Art Of The Give Away also sums up Trump's approach to his whole life, he gives it away for everyone's loss but somehow finds a way to finagle (rape) the rest of the people supposedly in on his deal. Will his supporters ever see this? Highly unlikely, there will always be immigrant, people who do not lool like of believe like them to blame even when they see their own economic situations shrinking. He cares for no one (not even sure his children, certainly not multiple wives) nor any group beyond Donald Trump. Sadly they will go down the tubes and continue to blame the rest of the world
Evangelical Reverend James Hagee and his ilk preach that we must trigger Armegeddon, the second coming and the end of the world. Is Trump up to the job?
As for Jews, they will be able to convert to Christianity or be put to the sword.
2
Tom, you should name the book; The Art of NO Deal.
1
Tom, you said it.
The Israeli Government never wanted to share Jerusalem with any minority, or share Democracy with the Arab's Middle East. Israel has failed the decedents of Abraham in Jerusalem while they might as well think that the devil allowed it to happen and Donald Trump allowed it to happen, too.
2
Have you ever been to Israel.
If you had you would know Jerusalem is the only city in the world not including Muslim ruled nations where they have as many places to pray as they do have there.
They even control the temple mount.
The city is shared and you and people who agree with you should go there and see how wrong you are.
4
Once again--Trump gets played. Heck of a job Bibi! You get everything you want except peace. And the USA gets nothing in return.
2
I always thought the capital of Israel was in Jerusalem and had been for many years but this “big news” had me check google and wikipedia.
Yep, it’s Jerusalem.
7
"Art, science, giveaway" misses the point. These are grossly stupid decisions made by an incompetently dangerous and uninformed individual with the power, intentionally or no, to get a lot of people killed. Hurry, Bob!
2
"Why in the world would you just give this away for free and not even use it as a lever to advance the prospect of an Israeli-Palestinian deal?"
1) Sheldon Adelson's deep pockets
2) AIPAC
7
Here’s a good reason, https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/u-s-election-2016/1.706797, Trump hasn’t been able to get a deal done in Israel for a building. His brand is taking off in India, Israel and I’m sure the Philippines, Russia and others won’t be too far behind. His US brand is going to pot and he needs new horizons. It’s laughable that there are thousands of people commenting on this article that think that Trump gives two hoots about anything but his own interests. He can’t event comprehend what he’s saying, but he’ll sure comprehend the royalties that the Oligarchs in Israel will be sending his way.
"Today, again, he put another one of those promises ahead of United States’ national interest." -- Thomas L. Friedman
When are we going to stop leading with our nose. As a voter, I'm doing my civic duty. Why can't the GOP get a backbone and do theirs? I believe one of their own asked that question yesterday: Mr. Steele.
There is another unpleasant situation that will come as a result of Trump's unholy mess being created in America: what the Democrats will inherit if they win the election in 2020.
2
Trump isn't committed to a two state solution. So, what is it that was given away?
1
The Art of the "Giveaway" is too generous of a title since it implies knowledge about what was at stake in the first place.
What we're learning now after almost a year, Trump has NEVER been a negotiator, and in fact, has always seen it as a thorn in his side and a terrific waste of time. Strong negotiation requires a keen sense of who the stakeholders are, what are their concerns, what is the context surrounding the issue, and what are the repercussions for each side. This process is too lengthy, beyond his capability, and more telling, not relevant to his agenda.
In his ignorance, he believes he has absolute power, which gives him free rein to sidestep negotiation, among other things, and save himself the time and trouble. How convenient---especially for an impatient businessman. How easy now that he doesn't have to consider others if he doesn't want to. And the times where he seems to negotiate, it's obviously a pretense.
I hope some day soon Trump will find out that unlike kings and dictators, the executive branch is but one arm of our government and our president does have checks on his power: the FBI/DOJ, the subpoena, a grand jury, the impeachment process, and the ballot box, to name a few.
We can only hope he doesn't start World War III in the meantime.
4
I'm fairly certain that in several of these situations, Trump's not giving things away so much as making certain he and his businesses receive the benefits of these seemingly questionable deals.
4
The next kibbutz built on the West Bank will include a Trump-branded championship golf course plus function space suitable for weddings and bar mitzvahs.
Well?
When is enough enough.
Treason: the crime of betraying one's country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government.
Trump is in fact, trying to overthrow the Government. Insulting the Federal Law enforcement Agencies, in fact, apparently, trying to create its own private intelligence agency.
It is ridiculous, and alarming, and frankly, the bringing down of the American Empire from within.
Since the Electoral College did not do its job and avoided having elected an incompetent, then perhaps Congress will impeach, but it needs one thing, and one sole thing: Citizens acting in Congress and avoid politicking.
Today we can say, Make America Great Again: Today the motto is correct. To do so, you need to Impeach
3
You Stated Today, "Trump just gave it away — for free". He received major campaign donations for this deal to happen.
4
This is not the first time a president has bucked the foreign policy establishment concerning Israel. Truman went against the State Department in recognizing Israel as a country. Without that recognition, Israel might not even exist today. The world begrudgingly came to respect that decision. I am sure the same will hold true as to Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
4
This is a good point. Why give away leverage? I thought it was insightful, because I had never thought of it. What struck me originally about the Jerusalem debacle was the breathtaking cynicism, the cavalier statecraft that with minimum effort will be guaranteed to cost lives needlessly. Even with the perhaps usual, unexpected body count of foreign policy when you're trying to make things right, why just light a torch to the whole thing, and have very easily expected casualties for such thin gains? It was then I noticed that Mr. Friedman's article didn't mention the potential of lives being lost. The article was all about the Great Game: who wins, why give advantage away, who's smart and who loses. I would submit that while strategic idiocy is a good point, what will make it tragic are the lives caught up in the meat grinder of dysfunctional, toxic policy. Maybe we should focus on the morality of it, as opposed to the strategic advantage of smart statecraft. That kind of bloodless, distant viewpoint is how we justified Iraq, as Mr. Friedman well knows by now.
1
Please, Thomas, write that book, preferably early next year, but no later than the campaigning for the 2020 elections. An in addition write a summary- introduction targeted to a broader audience, hopefully including many residents of red states.
Many countries have kept their embassies in Tel Aviv by following the example of a few powerful countries, most prominently the USA. Now the USA has stated that it recognizes Israel's capital, and so did Russia recently, and a few other countries. More are bound to follow. This will be non-news in a few days because this issue has been non-news for years.
Both Israel and the Arabs will now have to deal with one less non-issue and sort out the true issues: final status borders, immigration rules for those refugees that have a legitimate claim (very few left alive), and financial settlement on most other topics. The longer this process lasts, the more it becomes lose-lose. Trump pulled a hat trick to push the sides to deal with what is left. The French expression "les absents ont toujours tort" applies: those that will be absent from future negotiations will have only themselves to blame for losing more. Friedman could have made that point: those that prefer street riots over discussions are bound to be the losers in the Middle East. All of history since the Balfour Declaration points in this direction.
6
TPP was opposed by the Democrats, and supported by the Republicans. No elected official who read it was allowed to tell voters what is contained.
Where does Thomas Friedman come up with this, then:
**It was not only the largest free-trade agreement in history, it was the best ever for United States workers, closing loopholes Nafta had left open.**
Whoo boy. Just making up it as he goes.
3
Elected officials could not disclose what was occurring during the negotiations of TPP, not after it was signed. There is needed during negotiations in order to ensure a reasonable approach to the agreement and not have random people injecting their own personal issues about the negotiations. Congress had months to review and sign off on the pact.
1
didn't Hillary call TPP the gold standard? wasn't it mainly despised by the Republican base because Hillary was in favor of it and the Republicans claimed it would export American jobs? or was that a differemt reality show?
2
You get it. Exactly the point.
Both Friedman and the comments seem to ignore the fact the US passed a law to move the embassy to Jerusalem over twenty years ago. It was a unanimous yes vote in the senate. Since the passage of that law, the Clinton, Bush, and Obama administrations used a "loophole" that allowed the administrations to waive the move to Jerusalem by certifying Tel Aviv ass the embassy location every six months. All Trump did is follow the law as written by a nearly unanimous Congress. Nice to have a President who follows the law and doesn't take the easy cop out.
5
It’s not that simple. Article II of the Constitution gives the president the powers to make treaties and appoint and receive ambassadors with the advice and consent of the Senate (treaties require a 2/3 approval vote; ambassador appointments, a simple majority). It is generally recognized that derived from the president’s explicit constitutional powers to appoint and receive ambassadors, they extend to recognizing foreign governments and conducting diplomacy with other countries. Mutually inclusive within those powers it would seem, is choosing the location of embassies where U.S. ambassadors serve. Therefore, the president is not bound—there’s nothing in the Constitution that specifically requires presidential implementation—to Congressional votes like the one you cite. But relevant to this topic, Congress does hold one power that trumps all presidents: authorizing funds to build embassies, wherever they are situated. This it seems is one of many examples of how the founders of our nation deliberately made things complicated, unclear and a bit messy in pursuit of the concept of separation of powers.
I agree with this. Trump is only doing this for his own self-satisfaction and to support his base. I hope the world knows that we Americans do NOT support this, and Trump only wants to create the chaos he so much loves. It's very sad, but until we vote out Trump, there is nothing we can do as no one in Congress will admonish him publicly....
3
Trump makes his decisions based on sheer spite and belligerence, without a shred of thinking anything through. He listens only to Bannon and Putin. Brace for an awful lot of violent reaction. Peace is better than war, and buying time through diplomacy (which does not occur to him) is valid, considering the new realities.
4
"But Trump is a chump."
Apparently the highest ranking Democrat in the country - Chuck Schumer - disagrees with you, Mr. Friedman. Schumer's only beef with Trump is why he waited so long on Jerusalem. Is it possible Mr. Schumer, the nation's top Democrat, bases his position here on politics, as a nearby Times story asserts Trump has done? Oops, there goes the Democrats' moral high ground on this issue.
5
Thank God, Friedman is not the President. Tired of his old line reasoning. Arafat walked away from the Wye talks when he was handed 95% of his demands. Current PLO leadership is also not willing to negotiate. Trump's message is brilliant. The longer you refuse to negotiate in earnest, PLO, the more you stand to lose.
7
Conveniently skipping Netanyahu's sabotage of the Oslo Accords.
2
I've known insecure little men in my life who thought they could win friends (buy friends?) with gifts. It didn't work for them and it won't work for you know who.
1
Responding to Another Joe (NY Times Pick) Joe, I am a Jewish, civil rights supporting, progressive view embracing, non-Trump voting American. Your comments regarding the lack of civil rights for the Palestinians are common. It is interesting that you put the blame for those lack of civil rights upon the Israelis. Is it the Israelis that refused to recognize the Arabs in the land in 1948 or was that the other way around? Was it the entire Jewish Population throughout the middle east that attacked Israel in 1948 (in Pre-1967 borders) in an attempt to "push them into the sea"? Of course not. Current View in America is to view the Palestinians in context of 1980s and onward. But how did we get here? That is the answer that is not lost on the Jews of America. We got here because the Arab countries surrounding Israel refused to accept the pre-1967 borders--which means they refused to accept the very concept of the State of Israel or Jews living in the land. That is the starting point for this Jewish American's thinking. Let's fast forward to the 1990s and Camp David. President Clinton has stated many times that the deal for Land for Peace was there to be had and Arafat refused it. That is the next most seminal point in this unending conflict. The short answer to your question is that many American Jews, and this American Jew in particular, does not believe that the Palestinian Leadership has any desire for a peace in which Israel stays in existence.
9
Arafat, no sweetheart but also no dummy, realized that if he agreed to a peace plan - any peace plan - he would be out of a job within months. he knew his constituents and prolonging their suffering and keeping things in suspense insured him a lifelong position. nice guy.
today, nothing has changed except Arafat is dead and has two competing successors.
5
The issue is accepting reality. Diplomats are upset that we are acknowledging something that has been the case for decades. Why? Because the diplomats are holding onto the unrealistic hope that somehow the Palestinians are going to turn into a state? Not this decade. I'm sure some Palestinians would like to have a state, but not enough to overwhelm the ones for whom destroying Israel is a higher priority. And "overwhelm" is the correct term - if the movement is not overwhelming it will be derailed by some small number of people blowing themselves up or some other stunt - there are too many options that will work.
When there are real options to negotiate by all means diplomacy is a better approach, but that has not been the case for Israel and Palestine for decades. Part of the problem at this point is diplomats who are convinced that they don't need to deal with reality. Right now on the ground there is no meaningful movement for peaceful coexistence on the Palestinian side. The best that can be done is to minimize violence and start getting people to acknowledge reality: Israel is not going away, if Palestinians want to work toward a state they need to accept peaceful coexistence.
5
The very idea that the Palestinians want a 2 state solution is something concocted by western diplomats. They didn't so much as to even poll the Palestinian population to see if there is even a small percentage that would grant to Israel ownership over all the land, including the many Palestinian villages, that they took from the Palestinians by force.
In addition what percent of them are yearning to be governed instead by the very corrupt PA whose sole mission would be to enrich themselves.
And this is not even taking into account all sensible Palestinians who understand that any 2 state solution will quickly devolve into a civil war between the PA and Hamas.
2
Watch the uprisings and violence and give the credit where the credit is due; trump. This is the Art of the Deal? People argue that it's just recognizing reality to declare Jersualem the capital. What it really is is a way to re-start the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. And yes, Trump is happy to deflect all criticism due him about Russia, even if it means a lot people die.
Taking uni-lateral actions without consulting your SecState, SecDef and the intelligence community, and without analyzing what will happen, or having a strategy is criminal. This is what dictators do. Not what presidents do.
He must go.
2
We only 'think' that Trump has given away Jerusalem for free — without the typical quid pro quo inherent in the negotiation process. In fact, and behind the scenes, Trump probably IS getting something for his efforts. More than likely he's gotten the green light to build some gaudy Trump-a-Palooza hotel/resort/casino/condo complex in Israel, or Jared and Ivana got a variance to build a mammoth residential compound in disputed West Bank settlement territory. Time will tell. Another Trump debacle to add to the agonizingly long, grueling and growing list.
One ignored factor, mostly because analysts aren't of that culture, is the biblical literalists evangelicals belief that The return of their messiah from the dead is dependent on the restoration of the greater Israel to its biblical borders and rebuilding of the temple that was destroyed by the Romans two thousand years ago. This group is a small group of fundamentalists who control the Jesus media and their followers. That group punches far above their weight.
I don't claim to know the ends and outs of the theology but do know there is no talking a person out of a belief that has saturated their lives since birth or had been recently converted and are looking to "get right with God". The NAtional Rifle Association has found the power of the single issue voter and that power has been taken up by the believer in the inerrancy of the Bible. It should be no surprise that Trump foreign policy is designed to please this tiny part of his base.
5
The first step in solving this problem is coming to a global accord that no one religion is more important than another. Just as we are born into our cultures, the way we interpret the mysteries and interact with, or even conceive of the divine and unfathomable is culturally derived. Knowing this, we can all stop the nonsense, this arguing over who God loves more.
Just stop it.
Make Jerusalem a universal capital for both the Israelis and the Palestinians, one capital as an ode to world peace, mutual respect and cooperation. Let an independent Palestinian state and an Israeli state govern from the same capital. An interfaith and intergovernmental District of Columbia.
Finally, all of you big shot billionaires and mega-churches and Saudi oil prince's, put your money where your mouths are.
Build the Palestinian people a beautiful city. Make it modern, functional, healthy, and energy independent, utilizing the abundant sunlight that bakes down on the Mediterranean coast. Instead of dumping money into guns and bombs, build homes and rooftop gardens and solar farms. Build schools. Build hope.
God loves no religion more. I suspect that whatever mighty force compels the universe thinks you all are just silly.
No one religion is more important than any other. No people or culture is more relevant than any other. We all have a right to exist. We have an obligation to coexist in peace.
2
Why not make Washington, DC the capital of both the US and Nigeria? or the US and Russia? Your reasoning makes a much sense.
1
Lovely job by his A-team of foreign policy advisers like his son in law. One can only imagine the positive ramifications to come out of this decisions. Such ignorance.
Since prophet Muhammad visited Jerusalem in 610, the city became a holy place in Islam. By 637, it became Islamic city and still. The last 14 centuries is documented history. Saying it was a Jewish city is allegations. No evidences prove these allegations. What Trump did is a big mistake. Jerusalem is Palestinian.
1
Distraction Alert!
DJT is a con man. (How many times do we have to go through this?)
This is a political stunt so he can
1. Claim he accomplished...something
2. Keep the attention away from the deep, deep dives into his ties to putin.
Keep your eyes on the progress that Mueller is making and watch the WH squirm.
The Feds are coming and (even) DJT knows it. He will do anything, anything to avoid exposing the path that Mueller is on.
4
Why didn't Trump announce that he was recognizing Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital? Isn't that claim just as valid?
3
No. First, there has never been an Arab Palestine. Second, there is no such people as Arab Palestinians. They are a myth invented as a front against Israel.
3
"The fundamental fight is not between left and right, but between proudly- ignorant, reckless and incompetent indecency and those who oppose it."
Benjamin Wittes, Senior Fellow at Brookings
4
Both Mr Friedman and his alma matter, the NY Times, seem to be unhappy with the new American declaration re Jerusalem.
Where have they been since 1967 .....of total American support of Israel
AND
Total contempt of Palestinian rights in their homeland?
American total identification with Israel is neither novel nor unexpected!
That has been slowly unveiled with each new Peace initiative and unequivocally reiterated when ever the Palestinian issue is broached
Where have they been all this time....is it that Israel unveils its ambitions for the first time?Or it is the first time the USA is aware of them?
Trump moved in the historical,way of total American identification with Israel
AND total contempt of Palestinian rights in their one and only homeland!
Nothing unexpected here America is America when to comes anything related to the Palestinian issue and Palestinians rights in their home land
America is the ENEMY!
1
how to make friends and influence people.
1
Tom Friedman has been advocating for fairness - for all parties to this conflict - for many years. Not all Americans identify exclusively with Israel in this conflict. It is clear, however, that Trump and Netanyahu represent the hardline faction in both the US and Israel. As a matter of note, less than a majority of Americans voted for Trump.
2
Dear Omar, I assure you that not all Americans are against Palestinian rights! Let us not generalize, where you are or here. Let’s keep open minds and keep thinking of ourselves as brothers and sisters. Yes, there are close minded people everywhere but please believe me, many Americans have a broken heart today. Trump does NOT speak for us all!
He really is a Russian stooge. All his actions will directly or indirectly help Russia. He’s withdrawing US from long standing policies in the Middle East creating a vacuum for Russia to occupy. He’s undermining government agencies and sowing the seeds for the destruction of the political system in US. This again would only help Russia do what they want with much lower levels of scrutiny.
2
With all that peace between Israel and Palestine using the prior methods, have we achieved anything?
Yes, TPP was a mistake, but only if you think nativism and a weaker federal government are not good. The Bannon-Trump method is to increase mistrust in the federal government, weaken it financially, and perhaps use force to open trade as needed because wars are ok.
Many commentators have noted that Trump's actions and timing were designed to satisfy his "base." What is often left unsaid is that in this case the "base" he is playing to is a moronic portion of evangelical Christians who see the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as Biblical requirement tor the Battle of Armageddon.
Not only was Trump's action a "giveaway," it was a sop to superstition and ignorance.
3
All that winning. Isn't sickening you say? I say VOTE, vote, vote. We are headed for the poorhouse. The 1%ers will be just fine. This is class war folks. We have to take it back before it's too late. Again, VOTE!
1
The Jews were the first globalists, forced into it by persecution in nearly every country where they tried to live. After WWII, they found themselves on the winning side and with the asset of the world's great sympathy. They seized the opportunity to persuade the Allied Powers to cede them a home in their ancestral and sacred land. Their hold on the territory has been tenuous from the beginning, but they have fought. However, for USA, is the fight to secure a Jewish homeland America's fight? This has been the question since 1947. This question is a cloud over all that has happened in the Middle East since 1947.
2
He's doing it for MONEY. Even more than Wilbur Ross, Trump wants to be a billionaire - but he's such a bad businessman that he keeps losing so much money that he's forced to lie. So somehow, some way, he's being paid off. And countries (like Russia and Israel) can afford to make Trump offers he cannot refuse. So yes he's an ignorant chump - but greedy.
2
Trump did get "something" in return - more access to Sheldon Adelson's billions in the next election and the right wing evangelicals in thrall to the ridiculous book of revelation pronouncements about the Jews, Jerusalem, the return of Christ, and the end of the world.
Stupidity all around made this possible.
4
Friedman has always been an acolyte of Neville Chamberlain. He is for appeasement always. The brilliance of Netanyahu is now on display. He has shown that by sticking to the principled position the next step to peace can go forward on a basis of reality.
You can fool some of the people all of the time.
Mr. Friedman, One question- did you make the same recommendations to President Obama that you loved so much?
3
There must be some four dimensional chess aspects to this latest pronouncement about Jerusalem.
Donald Trump is the GREATEST negotiator who ever lived. How do I know? He SAID so. It is all over the Trump University website. How can anyone argue about that?
Obviously, Tom Friedman never got the memo.
2
Are we getting tired of "winning" yet?
2
What Gall! How can President Donald Dumb interfere in Middle East politics and get away with it so easily? And tell an independent country where its Capitol is to be? Once again, I fear that the Chief Twit will bring death with dishonor to us, the American citizenry, through a big mouth, a big ego, and a small intelligence. Just watch!
2
Friedman paints with too broad a brush when he draws an analogy between Trump's current action and giving a present to "the Jews." I am Jewsih, and I suspect that many, like me, get no pleasure from seeing the president of the United States throw sand in the face of the Palestinians.
4
Thomas, two points.
1) There is no such thing as a two state solution, there is a one state solution with the West Bank as part of Israel and the Palestinians either cordoned off in the big city ghettos, i.e. Apartheid. Or the Palestinians ethnically cleansed to Jordon.
2) I get it, you are a globalist. You love trade deals. Well, tell that to an ever shrinking manufacturing base we have here in the US since NAFTA was signed resulting in a increasing large and marginalized electorate that helped propel Trump to the Whitehouse. The Tech economy and the associated hype/financial bubbles that surround it is not a job creating engine, it's a job destroying engine through relentless automation and outsourcing. In short, if you don't like Trump, and everyone knows you don't, wait till you see the guy that comes after him.
2
Oh Eliel, Eliel. Your pro Israeli stance just leaves out so much anti-peace shenanigans by the Israelis like their tearing down of Palestinian homes on the West Bank and land grabbing willy-nilly like gangbusters, like their creation of roadblocks to hinder Palestinians from traveling to work, schools, etc. I could go on and on and on but it's obviously not worth my time to have any serious discourse with you. My own direct experience with some young Israelis who have grown up in Israel is that they really have chutzpah like I I have never seen before... that is until Trump hit the scene.
1
The idea that President Trump has any negotiating power vis a vis Israel is risible. Israel writes America’s foreign policy in these matters – not any American President.
(1) “agreed final status peace accord between Israelis and Palestinians”
There will never be a final status peace accord until the final solution of the Palestinian problem on Israel’s terms. It is not now in Israel’s interest to even think about a final status peace accord. The status quo of uninterrupted ethnic cleansing suits Israel and its American enablers very well.
(2) “outside of the existing settlement block that everyone expects to be part of Israel in any two-state solution.”
Who is everyone? The only decisionmakers in this sorry saga are the Israeli Zionists. There has never been any restraint on their covert expansion of the occupation
(3) “That would at least have insulated us from looking like making a one-sided gesture”
This is not about ‘us’. Only a fool would believe that the United States is, or ever has been, an even-handed actor. Had the USA wanted it so, there could be Peace in Palestine now.
(4) Just to remind: TPP would have given the exercise of justice to Transnational Corporations and removed that power from the American people.
4
Who will stop him and his cronies?
It's hilarious to me that people can, with a straight face, tell us that a process which has failed for 60 years must be protected with continued idiotic policy, and go into histrionics at the slightest acknowledgement of the reality of its failure. The reporting the NYT and MSNBC have done on this issue make every claim that they're just the other side's Fox News and Breitbart look true.
6
Mr. Friedman seems to forget a very inconvenient fact. The 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Relocation Act was passed with a 93 to 5 vote. It MANDATES the move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. NONE of the previous presidents had the "pelotas" to start the ball rolling. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) and Dick Durbin (Ill.), while now criticizing the President's move, voted for the Act's unanimous Senate reaffirmation this past June. In the real world, that is called Hypocrisy at the highest level. Let's stop pretending. The ONLY "solution" the Palestinians, and a vast majority of their supporters would be happy with would be the disappearance of the Jewish State. Today, in 2017, MILLIONS dream, wish and pray for the utter destruction, not only of Israel, but of the Jewish people as a whole. That is a fact. Israel will NEVER accept, or be instrumental in it's own demise.
8
Lest we forget the 2016 presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton also promised to walk away from the TPP. Indeed our president is the chump of the millennium, and so soon already. Yes, he is an ignorant fool blinded by his own belligerent bombast. And yes, by contrast Hillary Clinton is sharp, focused and experienced.
But she is devoid of principle, breezily willing to throw overboard the good policy of our preceding president to serve her parochially overweening political ambition. Clinton was the principal architect of her own defeat, and the Democratic Party was the chief enabler. We are paying a terrible price for it.
6
"Every Israeli government since its founding has craved United States recognition of Jerusalem as its capita." This is a misrepresentation. Every part of Jerusalem arguably claimed by the Palestinians was under Jordanian control until 1967 - yet somehow the Jordanians never saw fit to unilaterally make it the capital of a Palestinian state. Anyone who has ever spent time in Jerusalem knows it is the Israeli capital as a matter of reality, and I for one appreciate a president who will not pretend that the sky is green just to placate a violent and anti-Semitic mob. If this reaffirmation of a reality that everyone knows is all that stood between us and collapse of the peace process, the I say that the peace process has been unmasked as a total and unmitigated farce that it has become.
6
Bravo Mr. Friedman! I sent an email to my family yesterday telling them that Trump's remaining base largely consists of the far right, ignorant people, and evangelicals. He has consistently pandered to this base. I live in the Bible Belt and know all too well the beliefs they hold. It makes me sad to see such a great nation reduced to such ignorance.
6
It is this pretentiousness and smugness that you impress why we have the President we have.
Humility, you should look that word up and try to apply it just a little bit.
Trump's entire governing "philosophy" is to consider WWOD, "What would Obama do," and then do the opposite.
That is IT. That is ALL of it.
7
That makes for excellent policy choices.
Not surprisingly, I don't see this as a giveaway at all. I see the President took a chip off of the table, and one that the Palestinians had hoped to keep a piece of for themselves, now it's gone. If chips keep getting taken off of the table, how big of a pot is left for them if they don't reach a settlement with Israel? The status quo of daily missiles fired from Gaza or periodic invasion of Israel, and an every 8 year or so major attack on those areas by Israel, for the last 70 years really isn't getting anywhere.
The Palestinians, to be clear, the losers of a 1947 Arab invasion who can only have their own state by the grace of the Israeli's, had a chance for their own state, and refused it. If they start to see that Israel has less and less pressure to grant one, perhaps they'll reach out and make it happen. The pressure on Israel by the world to then make it happen would be the same irrespective of what sign is on what building in Jerusalem.
5
Trump did not give away anything. It has come at a price and like the consummate con artist who stands to gain, at no expense to himself, someone else will be paying for it when the whole thing goes belly-up.
2
Under the heading "Everything Old Is New Again", "The Emperor Has No Clothes"
2
You may be underestimating him. He cares more about personal gain than what is best of the country. As long as China and Israel's sponsors like Sheldon Adelson pay him off, he will do their bidding. After all, he became a billionaire by laundering money for Russians, while stiffing US government and subcontractors.
6
Trump is destroying our country and the world. Why are Republicans allowing this.
7
Would we all please stop pretending that the Israelis would ever accede to the creation of a truly independent Palestinian state? Let's be real, Israeli actions over the last fifty years make plain that the Palestinian people are doomed to a perpetual vassal status to the Israelis - guaranteed by cowed American politicians of both parties. The concept of all men being endowed by their creator with inalienable rights apparently has an exception - and that is, of course, unless you happen to be Palestinian.
3
I'm trying to figure out how he's going to manage to blame Hillary when our embassies are attacked again.
2
Israel is colonizing part of Palestine and like Myanmar/Rohingya, India and Pakistan, Armenia and Turkey -- the area will continue to boil over in violence until it is resolved (as two states) or one side expels or genocides the other. There will be no peace until that happens and Americans will no be safe in Jerusalem from this day forward.
1
I think the "One China " model would be useful here. Somehow Nixon and Kissinger had the diplomatic skills necessary to recognize Taiwan as part of China whilst still protecting its independence. Both sides saved face and peace was maintained.
But this crew does not possess those skills.
2
Clearly Mr. Friedman was in absentia for the entire Obama Presidency in which he (i) agreed to every demand by Iran in return for their agreement to forebear knowing that there is no way to verify their forbearance while never even asking Iran for the release of our American citizens being held captiv, (ii) agreed to dismantle our nukes pointed at Russian in return for nothing, (iii) agreed to release five high profile terrorists in return for Bowe Bergdahl, a traitorous deserter that caused the deaths and maiming of others out searching for him, (iv) consented to participate in the Paris accords knowing that the US is the only country that required to invest billions now while the most egregious offenders have NO obligations for another ten to fifteen years, (v) opened relations with a Cuban regime that commits atrocities against its own citizens and repeatedly violates their human rights in return for NOTHING and (vi) released numerous terrorists from Gitmo to other countries knowing full well that they would return to terrorism within a few years or less. Obama was the "ultimate Sucker-born-every-day- in Chief", bar none.
4
Handing over Jerusalem without an ounce of care and tearing up the TPP like a voided check make it seem like Trump is truly the moronic dotard we all like to believe he is. And maybe he is.
But maybe the reality is something much more sinister. Perhaps China, Russia, Israel and the Saudis have been trying to dislodge the North American/European power structure for their own gain for some time. I mean why does the U.S. and it’s partners in North America, Europe, Japan and Australia get to decide who is boss when it comes to sanctions, accords, and who gets to put pipelines or reactors where they want when they want, or who gets to be a nuclear power and who doesn’t?
Maybe these states have decided it’s time for a New World Order and for years there was an effort to cultivate a person to take over the American Presidency who would see no problem with shifting allegiances away from fellow democracies towards fellow authoritarian energy states.
In this current moment in time does it make more sense that the U.S. blood oath of allegiance lie with Canada, The U.K., France, Australia, Japan and Germany or does it make more sense if it lies with China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan and India?
If democracy doesn’t really matter in the scheme of things, fighting terrorism surmounts all, and stopping refugee flight while making as much money in the energy sector as possible props up oligarchs, kings, nationalists and “presidents”. Well...there you have it.
2
Apart from Trump's penchant and delight in breaking things and convention Paris Accords etc. Two more words Sheldon Adelson.
1
I read this again and realized what bothered me about it.
Tom, you have it backwards. Why don't you suggest that Trump use the recognition as leverage on the Palestinians - and get them to come back to the negotiating table, instead of making excuses?
But, with you, Israel is always at fault - I get it. And it's always Israel that has to meet demands - never the Palestinians.
And by the way, the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital isn't a bargaining chip - it's a correction of an historical injustice against Israel. Trump was right in correcting it.
8
I don't know what you want the palestinians to give. The gaza stripe is the biggest prison on earth and the Palestinian government can't even get its own money without Israel's government green light.
2
There is a deal alright. Trump got a 25 million campaign contribution from Sheldon Addelson and this is the payoff to him. Simple.
2
American’s might imagine what it would be like if the whole world decided to give our State of Arizona to Mexico, and then after decades of our struggle, Mexico decided to name Phoenix as its new capital, inferring that there would be no regaining of control for us, ever. Do you suppose that must be what this is like for the Arab Community?
1
The answer is obvious; trump wants war in the middle east.
2
Republican and Trump's hatred for Obama is so intense that they're destroying the country just to erase Obama's name from history.
5
Trump truly believes that he is a genius. For only a genius ignores decades of experience and advice from across the world. And all the Republicans can do is sit back like a bunch of sycophant bobbleheads -- while the country crumbles and the world burns.
2
December 7, 2017
America's EXIT from reality and soon at the mercy of strangers - is that what Mr. Trump defines great?
jja Manhattan, N.Y.
4
I don't know if Trump will be re-elected. The only thing I know is that this administration will reduce this country to a pile of rubble.
3
But Jared said it's a good idea!
2
Typical Friedman.
Yes, how could an elected official do two things which have broad bi-partisan appeal? How COULD he?!
Come back when a majority of Americans actually supported TPP (no, this isn't the Supreme Court so MegaCorps don't count as "americans") and when a majority of Americans are against recognizing Jerusalem.
Moreover, it is asinine to assume you'll get anything by pretending something non-negotiable (and something intrinsic to any sovereign state, the right to name their own capital) is actually negotiable. You may as well say, "if you don't do what I say, I'll keep holding my breath!" Fool, we all know you won't be able to follow through. Just like everyone thinking critically knows there was no chance of a peace deal not recognizing the capital of an allied nation as the actual capital. As we saw in Oslo and Camp David the problem is not the Israeli side not wanting to negotiate or make concessions, it is the Palestinian side not getting more than 90% of what they want after losing a genocidal war and utterly unable to come to terms with their weak bargaining position.
Maybe this dose of reality will, after the typical convulsions of violence, finally sink in. With the shale revolution and falling oil profits, plus changes in the geopolitical arrangement of rivals in the middle east (thanks Iran), the Palestinian value as a cat's paw has greatly diminished. The sooner they accept the situation for what it is, not what they wish it to be, the better.
4
It seems the US did not get very much, but what did Trump get?
1
China just keeps on winning.
1
While I've given up on Dr. Paul Krugman, every once in a while I read a Tom Friedman article thinking maybe he'll have something intelligent to say. Nope not this time. The TPP is a ridiculous attempt to cut China out of a Pacific rim trade pact, how laughable! The move of the embassy is a fulfilled promise, just like appointment of Gorsuch. Agree with him or not Trump is trying to fulfill the promises he made that are within his power to achieve. He has no control of the dolts in congress but what he can do himself he is by and large doing. The voters will notice.
3
Trump seems to be taunting the most extreme elements in the Muslim world. Is he hoping to set off a terrorist attack which would then give him expanded military powers?
His acts are a great recruiting tool for militant extremists.
2
Of course, asking "Why didn't Trump do this? Why did Trump do that?" begs the question of his capacity to understand what it is he is doing. Which we already know the answer to. It is evident on its face that Trump has neither the intellectual nor political skill to maneuver his way through the complexities of domestic policy, much less international issues. Why else would he dispatch Jared Kushner to "solve" the Middle East peace problem? Apparently, Pee Wee Herman was already booked.
Critiquing Trump's failures and errors as though there was ever even a remote possibility that he had at his disposal the information and capacity to do anything beyond the equivalent of a wild guess grants him a credibility he has never deserved. In the entirety of his reign is there a single policy, executive order, decision, interaction, communication or announcement that could be characterized as deeply considerate of its impact... beyond his own gain?
There is simply nothing left to be surprised about with this president. His actions are those of a man completely ignorant about history, consequences, and leadership. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if he thought he could write checks on his account at the Federal Reserve Bank, or if he believed the Palestinians should just go back where they came from.
2
Excellent article. But “The Chump” knows one thing - the more chaos Trump creates in the world, the more our attention is diverted from Trump collusion with Russia, tax cuts for the rich, and repealing Obamacare. Hopefully the chaos isn’t ended someday with mushroom clouds floating over what is left of the world.
2
It would be more accurate - and help diminish latent anti-semitism - if writers were to distinguish between "Israelis" and "Jews". There are considerably more of the latter, and many of us, along with many Israelis, do not consider the U.S. President's current move a good one. The last sentence of Friedman's second paragraph is actually pretty offensive.
3
i'd also suggest, that in his myopic way, Trump did cut a deal. With Adelson and his cash.
3
I can't help but mention that both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders claimed--as President--they would, like Trump, cancel the TPP. I am not suggesting Mr Friedman is wrong about how foolish walking away from TPP is. It is insane.
What I'm pointing out is the American public has been led to believe trade--the linch pin of American foreign policy for 70 years--is contrary to America's best interests. Frankly I don't believe Hillary would have cancelled the TPP. I think she would have finessed a way to change her mind--as she had already done once regarding the TPP. But, Bernie Sanders was serious about the evils of trade.
Call it what you want...the Populist Movement, America First, the Trump Era. America's willingness to follow political charlatans is terrifying.
I think about all the money that is spent on an election and wonder, 'Where's the Beef?' Really. A billion dollars between the two parties buys bumper sticker perspective and a whole lot of mud?
I appreciate Mr Friedman's column. I hope the Times writes more about the TPP, how Franklin Roosevelt organized a world that benefitted America, and how world trade has worked for the past 70 years. Trump is able to sell his lies because the public doesn't know any better than to believe him. Shame on us.
2
‘In a column from Hong Kong last June a senior Hong Kong official told me: “When Trump did away with TPP, all your allies’ confidence in the U.S. collapsed.” After America stopped TPP, “everyone is now looking to China,”’
The real value of the TPP was always US leadership vis a vis China. But this was as true during the election as today. This blunt language was needed a year ago. Today this cocktail party fodder.
Where are the conspiracy theorists when we need them? Is it sufficient to allege only that Trump, the "Art of the Deal" progenitor and self-styled wheeler dealer, is going around the world making horrible deals, alienating allies and empowering dictators and competitors? That he is leaving huge geo-political gaping holes in the Far East, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas? That Trump would surround himself during his campaign, transition and first year with such a rag-tag group of mostly incompetent vested interest types and Russophiles?
The casualty list is large and growing, foreign and domestic policy. At home he divides, pushes the GoP into a black hole and rents the fabric of democracy with his legislative interventions, false news, and institutional sabotage.
Where are the conspiracy theorists that for so long have animated Fox News and right wing causes. The trail is clear. The winners and losers? --the Rich, Putin, Xi and undemocratic forces everywhere are the winners. The losers are everyone else. Decency. Democracy.
Where are the conspiracy theorists when we need them to explain the abundant evidence of the precipitous decline and fall of the US in one short year? Surely it cant all be greed, racism and ignorance...?!
2
Donald was a showbiz candidate running on fake campaign issues and he didn't expect to win. But when he did, he didn't suddenly become earnest.
His goal was to continue to capitalize on the media attention. He doesn't see himself as part of government, but apart from it -- it's greatest critic.
But since he has the power, he wants to use it to the degree he understands the job. He is turning America into a fascist oligarchy.
1
Sheldon Adelson and Russians disagree! It is not free, just cheap. Instead of going to the negotiation tabel, foreign governments should find wealthy donners for the GOP, better even than lobbying the congress directly.
2
Some U.S. presidents could be captured in the fiction of American writers like Twain or Melville or Fitzgerald; Trump, perhaps appropriately, requires the services of the great Russian writer, Nikolai Gogol.
Why in the world would you just give this away for free ?
Because Trump didn't pay for it. It is the America he is giving away, not his personal assets. Because it costs him nothing.
2
Great piece. So true and so, so sad (so maddening!). Here's the thing; why does everyone attribute these big risky policy moves to "Pres." Trump. Look at his entire life and tell me that you think he cares one fig about these complex political strategies. Like W., he is the salesman in chief, except for the occasional free-style decisions to get way too belligerent or antagonistic. Why don't the pundits and major media voices push for answers as to who the architects of these dangerously overambitious direction changes are. Looking at things like most of these big policy shifts - tax reform, Obama repeal, immigration bans, military flexing, treaty withdrawal - one can assume the worst; no one is seriously weighing the risks and flaws in these moves. Still, Donald Trump is not capable of understanding the motivations and ramifications of these disruptive decisions. Again, I'm led to suspect the worst and guess that the architect is someone like Steve Bannon and it's meant only to throw opponents off balance and feed red meat to the base. This is not going to go well, to say the least!
1
Everything Trump does can be seen as serving his personal, political interest. He doesn't care a lick about policy, whether it's health care, taxes, or trade. He just cares about camera-ready moments, when he gets to sign something or make large pronouncements like withdrawing from Paris climate accords or proclaiming Jerusalem the capital. Literally everything he does is to maximize his looking good in public. To Democrats in Congress: Find policies that you want that Trump can sign. That's the art of the deal with him.
2
It is exactly the kind of short term thinking contained in this article that is the root of the problem. The current crisis in the peace process is not Trumps fault, it is the fault of people like Thomas Friedman who think the rights of indigenous people are bartering chips for great power foreign policy games. The status of Jerusalem is not within the power of the United States to recognize or not recognize, and the idea that a sustainable peace is viable when the United States gambles away the rights of Palestinians for short term game is ludicrous. Friedman's attitude is in fact worse than Trump, and note that he states clearly that he would follow the exact same policy as Trump, but he would have wanted to get something out of it, not for the Palestinian people, who have been forced to compromise on every one of their basic rights for seventy years, but for the sake of the advancement of US interests in the region. The entire premise of this article is wrong-headed. Trump may be a fool, but at least his clumsy maneuvering has revealed the bare, naked opportunism of US foreign policy thinking.
Tell me, Mr. Friedman, why should Israel have to "pay" for the US recognition of Jerusalem as its capital? You say that as a transactional matter, it was a "giveaway" by President Trump to recognize this fact without getting something in return. What you ignore, though, is the correctness of such recognition as a stand-alone item in and of itself - it is something that Israel deserves, and not something for which it should have to negotiate or come pleading at the door as a beggar.
Sometimes, you do something because it's just right, and not only because you "got" something for it.
Nick
4
Trump has served his most hardcore base with this although, because it could take more time than he’s in office to move the US Embassy, the next Administration could nix it. And he loves to recklessly do the opposite of his predecessors, and Obama in particular.
Maybe Friedman should write a book instead about why Trump is determined to be contrary, no matter the consequences, and do the opposite of anything and everything Obama did, and what drives his hatred of the man. It’s easy to point to the WH correspondence dinner (after Obama had shown his full length birth certificate) when Obama then verbally attacked Trump repeatedly, as being the catalyst to Trump deciding to run in 2015. But no one has ever gotten to the bottom - unless it’s purely racism on Trump’s part - of why Trump became a birther in the first place and began the systematic destruction of his reputation by endlessly talking about it. Because it is that which is a big part of where we are today with many of Trump’s policy decisions. What Obama did or failed to do may be, irrationally, driving a lot of Trump’s agenda.
Trump’s reckless about foreign policy possibly precisely because Obama was slow and methodical. Trump’s also catering to a base that hates diplomacy and his Administration is systematically dismantling the State Dept. Trump admires Pres Andrew Jackson, then insults Native Americans and takes their lands from a National Monument Obama created. Maybe Friedman should focus on all of that.
1
Trump, a master of chaos, needed a distraction from the tightening noose of Mueller's Russia investigation. moving the US embassy to Jerusalem has been on the shelf for a few months, and now, when he needs it most, pulls it out to control the media cycle once again. I trust and hope that Mueller keeps chipping away to save us from this insanity.
2
Like it or not, it's U.S. law, Tom, with huge bi-partisan support. Trump is the first U.S. President with the moral courage to enforce it. A promise made is a promise kept. Go Trump!
3
He stiffed the contractors who did business with him: he thinks he can stiff the rest of the world.
2
Tom, you are falling into the same trap agin when you ask questions like "Why in the world would you just give this away for free and not even use it as a lever to advance the prospect of an Israeli-Palestinian deal?" The past is no longer prologue. The answer is simple, because he is not interested in any deal. He is interested in Israeli hegemony in the region because it advances his family's interests (financial, relgious, political). We all must stop being shocked by his departure from the ethos of past presidencies. This presidency is simply a device to further the Trump family's (immediate and extended) financial and social goals at any cost - including human life. The truly amazing part of this is his ability to do it all with a MINORITY of this country. It will get worse before it gets better I'm afraid
3
Trump gave this concession for the millions of dollars that Sheldon Adelson will contribute to his next campaign and for the millions of votes that right wing Crypto-Christians will cast for him in the next campaign. He didn't give it up for "nothing" he gave it as a Quid pro Quo.
2
Interesting that Obama couldn't get enough votes in Congress to ratify TTP! Hilary was also ambivalent about TPP during the election. How does that fit with Freidman's opinions
1
I agree with everything that you're saying here Paul. But it's a team effort, and the president's advisors don't seem to have the skill and experience to construct the nuanced strategies of previous administrations. Tillerson is in over his head, Kushner has no experience, and Trump - the armchair quarterback - is continuously contradicting his team by making calls that must be coming from Bannon's playbook. The problem is deeper than an ignorant president making bad decisions.
I look back to Reagan and remember 1) he could stay on script, and 2) he assembled an extremely capable and experience cabinet. Those were the days, huh?
Comments here are all well and good, but we need to stop voting for Republicans. That's the problem and it hasn't gone away. Talk to your friends and relatives in the flyover states.
1
This move, as good as it may seem for Israel, is not a move to bring or ensure peace, because for every interest, God has given each and every one of them the land in perpetuity. An unsolvable problem until they realize that they must all compromise.
Thank you. Mr Friedman. Your words at this time are much appreciated.
Would you please talk about how WATER - the underground waterways are fueling the push and pull of Israeli - Palestinian negotiations?
AS DAvid Cay Johnston has often said, Donald is a terrible deal maker. Why do you think he's had 6 bankruptcies?
1
Trump did not give this away. He got paid to do it, and is merely rewarding his patrons.
2
Anyone who opposes this move by the U.S. doesn't support Israel's claims to territorial sovereignty.
Why should Jerusalem be on the table for "peace" negotiations?
The ultimate goal isn't just "peace" but a secure Israel. "Peace" is one means to that end.
If you oppose Israel and want it to "give back" land taken (from Jordan), I would see your concern that this doesn't advance your agenda.
But this advances the agenda of a secure Jewish homeland, so I'm 100% for it.
2
Mr. Friedman: You have read the TPP, I presume. Have you forgotten the "Investor-rights" clauses? The equivalent of "The Opium War" with China. Watch the movie "Even the Rain."
Trump has brought his "Art of the Deal" skills from business to government. Unfortunately, every deal Trump ever made went bankrupt.
2
This article is weakened by the authors attempt to relate two separate topics he is trying to weld together. His theme - that Trump has been gamed by leaders of other foreign countries and is prone to being manipulated by his narrow base. The TPP was a good attempt to create free trade but a giveaway to multinational corporations , who were to claim sovereignty over the US government if their profit projections were eclipsed by market circumstances.Dead on arrival. A more thoughtful leader would have used the West Bank settlements as a bargaining chip in negotiations. Why do we need to inflame the Arabs more by serving the goals of Israel so blatantly ?
Yes, the TPP debacle was all Trump trying to destroy anything accomplished by Obama. But the Israel /Palestinian situation is very different and far more complicated. Israelis have learned the hard way not to trust assurances from the rest of the world. Sure, the UN established a Jewish state via the partition vote. But the same countries that voted for partition (except for Soviet backed Czechoslovakia) then prevented the newly established state of Israel from getting weapons to defend itself. Israel fought for its life and ended up with armistice lines comprising the pre 1967 boundaries. At great cost of life, Israel prevented its own destruction by Arab nations who would not tolerate its existence. They also learned that the facts on the ground count. A lot. Controlling territory has helped dictate the final arrangements of many, many armed conflicts.
One other thing. Israel, through quiet diplomacy, has made defacto peace with some of the major powers in the Arab world. Those powers see Iran and terrorism as much bigger problems than Israel.
3
Mr. Friedman,
You make ok arguments but leave out a critical context.
Israel is a long standing ally.
The Palestinians are not an ally and have never been. In fact, they are the opposite having attacked us and our interests many times.
The Chinese are not an ally, they are a trading partner.
That Israel is an ally makes a difference.
MikeT
2
How is this "America First"? What American interests are served here? How does this make the USA more secure, or more prosperous?
2
I was uncertain about the wisdom of President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. On the one hand, it recognizes the current reality, shows a decent respect for the history and religion of the Jewish people, and takes some of the steam out of the illusions of those who believe they can eradicate the Jewish State. On the other hand, it is certain to provoke violence, injuries, and possibly deaths.
So I did what I usually do when I'm uncertain about what is right regarding the Middle East: I read what Tom Friedman had to say and that cleared up all doubts for me, because I know he is always wrong. So thank you Tom. Your opposition verifies the truth, justice, and wisdom of Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
3
I’m sure Trump sees this as a method of negotiating from strength. He’s just told the Arab world that their wishes don’t matter. That’s his opening bid. Acquiesce or he’ll do something even worse tomorrow.
By this act, he has just compromised all of our security within the United States, not just the Middle East. We should all brace up for consequences.
2
Trump is not trying to further the cause of American Jews, Israel, or world peace. He simply was throwing more red meat to his apocalyptic and rapture-entranced Christian evangelical base that believes Jesus will come and magically spirit true believers straight to heaven only after Jerusalem becomes the capital of Israel and the temple is rebuilt there.
As for me, I'd rather matters of international diplomacy and world peace not be dictated by religious extremists whose believers are praying every day for the end of the world.
1
Trump didn't give anything away, because he doesn't care about Middle East peace. Oh yes, he'd love it if he could display in the Mar a Lago lobby the Time Magazine cover that proclaims him "The history making President" if little Jared manages to bring home a peace agreement (not going to happen), but that's only because it would stroke Trump's ego, not because he worries about resolving war and conflict. Trump announced his support for Jerusalem for one reason - to pay off all those evangelical voters who illogically voted for him. This was done for Hagee and Falwell and their ilk, that it makes a peace agreement more difficult, or puffs up Bibi, or endangers Americans matters not a whit to the Donald. This is Trump "winning" where it counts, with his right-wing "Christian" tribal base.
1
Correction: TPP was America's opening shot in declaring economic war against China. Concern trolling about Chinese reformers noted, and dismissed.
The Art of the Giveaway plus a phone call from Sheldon Adelson in this case. Truly frightening that the president's base is calling the shots for world diplomacy along with the GOP donors, like Adelson and Mercers and Koch.
1
"And every United States government has refrained from doing that, arguing that such a recognition should come only in the wake of an agreed final status peace accord between Israelis and Palestinians"
Please tell us Friedman, how has that worked out? Decades of doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. Has it ever entered your small dogmatic mind that perhaps a different approach is called for?
1
I fear the damage that Trump may inflict upon the world could be irreversible. He was elected on a despicable political platform and due to an undemocratic and outdated electoral college, against the will of the majority of the American people. I find it worrysome that Trump, who has no experience, talent or the even will to embrace critical principles which have been the core of US foreign policy, has suddenly decided to set his own foreign policy. Why should a TV show star come up with his own idea about how to conduct business in one of the most delicate regions in the world? The president has neither values nor objectives, but just an irrational desire to please himself and the people who support him. It is utterly unfair that people, who have suffered for years and seen their homes being torn apart, now have to cope with the consequences of the decisions made by a dysfunctional US president and his unreasoned behaviour. What Trump has done not only jeopardizes the peace process in the Middle East, but he also relinquishes the US historical role as mediator in the region, thus the responsabilities that the United States have long had in the concert of nations.
6
Trump justified this Jerusalem policy change by declaring that he was fulfilling a campaign promise. Clearly, to Trump, some promises are more important than others, particularly, those he makes to foreign leaders.
It seems that they trump his promises to the American people. In case you forgot, he also promised Americans that he would release his tax returns, which he hasn't done.
4
It has all to do with Mr. Trump's pride and ego. He wants to go down history, and to be seen as someone who did better for the Israeiis, than any other US president.
Whether Mr. Trump listens to valuable counsel is immaterial, as long as his personal rubber stamp is there.
Whether it is the TPP, Paris Climate Accord, Immigration, Tax Reforms, Health Care, they are all issues important for our country. However, the decisions that have been made on any or all of them, do not necessarily have an examination to determine the impact on our people and country.
Mr. Trump bases his decisions on how he personally, views the world. It is not what history has to say, or what the experts opine. Since Mr. Trump came into Office, most or all of his decisions on policies are contentious and provocative. Decisions made, in a unilateral manner, rushing to judgment and hurting people. As for the Israeli - Palestinian conflict, in what manner does it benefit our country?
2
Both Friedman & Ross hold the view that majority of Palestinians and their Arab supporters actually desire a peaceful resolution that results in a 2 state compromise. Clearly, this is not and never has been the reality.
In December 2000, Arafat, under negotiations during the Clinton administration's last month, agreed to a peace whereby Israel would return at the least 94% disputed lands in return for mutual recognition of 2 states living in peace.
Arafat, upon returning to Ramalah, reneged and initiated a new intafada. Why? He, and his majority supporters, including other Arab nations, saw only another 6% to be had.
Their has never been honest dealings from the Arabs because it is in the best interest of their governments to use Israel as a straw man to focus their people's discontent. Trump, merely exposed the fraud within this entire negotiation (the only thing Trump's gotten correct).
2
This was absolutely a wonderful take. The proposed alternatives Sir Friedman has suggested in the article would earned US a great trust and confidence from allies. Particularly, the US image has become susceptible in Muslim world following Trumps travel ban policy. He could have bridged the gap by better alternative of establishing US embassy for both Plaestinian and Israelis in East and West Jerusalem respectively. Either way the jolt has already happened let's see what comes out of this new gamble..
The president acts only in his own interest. Period.
The tax bill is a case in point.
What is in this deal for him?
That is the question.
1
The basis of Palestinian-Israeli "negotiations" for a "solution" has again shifted slightly on the internal politics of the U.S.
Not a whole lot of news.
The Israelis do not need to temper their views as they know that they can wait: Their position cannot noticeably deteriorate in the near-future, not by the actions of outside powers anyway. The plight of the Palestinians, of course, is such that there can be no compromises made by their side.
The western intellectual is in the habit of assuming that conflicts can be mediated. This conflict cannot be unmade by words. The basis for the ongoing bloodshed and suffering is just too strong. It is not hate that drives it; hate follows in it's wake and there is no forcing function toward lenience that would push both sides.
We in the West should heed some of it's lessons. It should remind us that physical antagonism is one of the major ways human beings relate to one another. Especially as societies. This is not to make our societies more warlike or anything like that, but to realize that nothing invites transgression so much as the non-threat of retaliation(the threat of non-retaliation?), the appearance of weakness, and indecisiveness in protecting what we perceive as ours.
The reverse may be (maybe) true on a personal level. But as nations, not so much.
President Trump didn't need to wait for Thomas Friedman to explain the world to him - the realities in Asia & the Middle East and Negotiating 101. Even the conservative people he has chosen to fill cabinet posts or other advisory positions were opposed to these give-aways. But he did not possess the good sense (or prioritize the interests of the United States) to take their almost unanimous advice.
The message is clear. The United States cannot be trusted. Even future administrations will deal with consequences of the loss of American reliability & credibility because we have proven we are always one election away from chaos. It will take a very long time to regain the trust that has been squandered.
3
Donald Trump has never done anything in his life that has not been for his own benefit regardless of how that might damage others. As President he has disparaged the work of dedicated lifetime professionals who have worked to enhance democratic institutions, principals and accomplishments. He has undermined decades of trust, political norms and of accomplishments in almost all areas of regulation and laws that were designed to protect the people future and stability of this country. And, he has personally profited from these efforts while damaging the lives of others. The tax bill is the most recent example.
In the realm of foreign policy he has used and squandered the credibility of the United States that has been built through decades of diplomacy and leadership at a cost of lives and national treasure. In the latest issue of regarding Jerusalem he capitulated to a policy that is of huge importance, against the advice of anyone with any common sense, a decisions that is likely to destabilize the entire middle east even further. His stated motive is peace, but his real motive is to pander to his base and donors and to help to win an election in Alabama. In other words a decision made not for the good of the world but a short term effort only good for Donald Trump and votes for his tax plan. Whether or not Russia Donald Trump is a Manchurian Candidate is not important anymore. It is the damage that he does and the danger that he creates ...
A tad ingenuous to hammer Trump for doing exactly what he said he'd do. Playing to the left? Whoever expected that?
Trump plays "to his base" because it gains him political power and that allows him to fulfill his greatest desire: become the richest man in the world.
2
Trump is wrong in declaring this, but what about the fact that congress passed this resolution in 1995 with overwhelming support even though Clinton refused to sign it? Congress is as much to blame.
Bill Clinton said the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again and expecting deferent results. I'm 58 and no Middle East policy wonk but the story hasn't really changed. Isn't it time that something new was tried?
Why did so many (including Hillary Clinton) oppose the TPP?
2
The picture at the top of Mr. Friedman's column of the Israel and US flags in Jerusalem needs some reflection. It is a great picture and I am guessing that, to whoever put it up, this stands for some sort of projection of friendship and strength.
But what worries me about symbols, as an American Jew, is how this deal makes it simple for anyone to hold up a picture of Trump next to the same Israeli flag, and how that will garner intense visceral support against Israel, and by proxy against the Jewish people and the USA itself. These things matter and are part of the bad deal Trump is making.
At this moment in time, it is a given that the citizens of the world will become riled by a picture of Trump far more than by the US flag, and it will be far more damaging to tie the Jews to Trump's countenance. We are so cloistered in the US, particularly in some redder states, that we do not see how easily Trump can be co-opted into a new symbol of racism. It is not a large step from here to tie the concept of "Jews" or the USA, in general, together with that racist symbol by putting it next to the blue and white flag. I am sure we will be seeing this shortly.
And, this easy giveaway is all in the name of what deal?
It's not just Trump. For decades now the Republicans in the House have used the Hastert rule to disenfranchise anyone not Republican, and over the last few years this has become McConnell's approach in the Senate as well. The popular canard is that the Democrats are the same. But that's just not true. There are certainly instances, but it was never institutionalized for the Democrats the way it has been for the Republicans.
Tom Friedman is still thinking inside the box when we have a President who is thinking outside the box and a deal maker. Old ways did not work in the Middle-East , so, let Trump try with new ways. There are clear signs of improvement. Regarding TPP, if it was so bad why even Hillary opposed it? It appears that Tom is not fully aware of what is happening in middle America and Middle East.
2
He also seems to have given the Saudis carte-blanche in the ME, and wants to free Russian hand in Eastern Europe.
I think you nailed it Mr. Friedman, President of his base, not our country.
Back when Morsi was President of Egypt I kept hoping he would grow into a real President for all Egyptians, not just the Muslim Brotherhood. Such things have happened! But Morsi was too small a man, afraid to cut loose to even a small extent from his milieu.
But if anyone was wondering where to find a man even smaller than Morsi...
1
I think one misses the actual intent of Mr Trump's actions, which is to create or reinforce a consumer constituency of his brand, namely, one that will in the long run spend their money on the products bearing his family name.
It's like those late-night paid programs, except that the guy doing the selling isn't paying for the air time.
Nothing Trump "gives" away is his to give.
4
Trump is a poor negotiator I agree with that but Trump like our entire Congress is owned lock stock and barrel by AIPAC. Everyone knows it's true you just can't say it.
1
The TPP was a horrible idea Thomas. It was good for China and that's about it - not very good for anyone else in Asia. I can't believe you are blasting this horrible man on the one good thing he did as President. Because yeah, otherwise, he's a chump.
“God Blesh de United Schates” yesterday said it all. Donald Trump is scary.
He’s mentally inept and obviously things aren’t going to well physically either.
Let’s see some doctor reports, please.
6
Freidman and his readers incoherent as usual, but especially so now that they realize that Trump and Kushner are not the bumbling idiots that they always wanted us to believe that they were.
2
As Friedman said on Lawrence O'Donnell's show on MSNBC tonight, " Trump is a Chump"
1
It's a good deal for Trump. He's support is built on a coalition of the Alt right, Neo Nazi's, fanatic Jews and Christians, former welders in the auto industry and coal miners.
4
elect a clown, expect a circus
4
Great piece about a buffoon of a president who doesn’t have the brains to use the leverage he has to achieve his own stated goals.
3
Jerusalem as Israel's capital is Trump's parting gift to Jared Kushner.
1
Many thoughtful comments, here.
When does construction on the Jerusalem Trump Tower begin?
4
We New Yorkers have always known that Donald Trump is a horrible dealmaker. Over the years, we have watched many of his projects flail and collapse into bankruptcy. We've witnessed his bullying of builders and small-scale contractors who were sucked into financial ruin themselves through his gouging tactics.
Trump played the role of a "successful business man" on a TV show whose network made the actual hiring and firing decisions.
Now he has charged his bankruptcy attorney and slumlord son-in-law (see NYT reporting on the Kushner Baltimore housing projects) with forging Middle East peace.
Instead, we are seeing the United States abandon any pretense of functioning as an impartial broker. But this latest move was just the last straw in a fusillade of hateful anti-Muslim rhetoric and executive orders from the President.
I shudder to think that our foreign policy is now being driven by a man who derives his positions not through a depth of knowledge but by monitoring the applause in any given room.
5
Mr. Friedman is so arrogant and angry towards our President that he can’t even see the benefit of a proudly pro-Israel President nor feel the specialness of America taking the lead in finally having the courage to properly recognize Israel’s capital. Guess Mr. Friedman longs for the stab in the back days of Obama orchestrating a UN resolution declaring the Western Wall illegal, which Obama and Kerry did exactly one year ago as mean, lame ducks.
2
It's clear that he wishes to incite violence so that he can justify his Muslim ban. His divide-and-rule tactics sicken me. He's an enemy of humanity.
6
Only 26% of America’s Jews voted for Trump and that was before Charlottesville. This deal is a Hanukkah gift to Jared before he gets indicted.
5
Mr. Friedman has been furious with American religious people and conservatives for years over their support of the one city we all recognize in Israel simply being recognized as its capital.
If you insisted on calling Beijing, China ''Peking'' instead, Thomas would call you vile names. Those who refer to members of the occasionally bloodthirsty religion of Islam as ''moslems'' would get similar treatment, would they not?
The people in Israel decided long ago to consider their one wold-famous city as their national capital - and do please excuse them for being obvious.
But because of his unprofessional feelings about Israel as a Political Progressive in Good Standing, he refuses to let these people do what the Chinese and Muslims do in a general sense.
Thomas makes a great political operative and propagandist, but he is so biased about who he hates that few people consider him reliable about most things. But he IS fun to psychoanalyze.
P.S. to Thomas: perhaps this wasn't the week to quote anyone named Ross who has spent lots of time in the D.C. Swamp. jus' sayin'
3
There was no Israel for more than 1,500 years.
The single dumbest thing Trump has done yet (that we know about!)...
2
I guess you haven’t been keeping up with the news. This has nothing to do Israel. This is known as chaff.
Stupid is as stupid does. Blunderbuss has no capacity to think. Lately, he has had trouble speaking. We truly need to get him out of that office but Ryan and McConnell are doing a happy dance every day, since DJT is too stupid to know he is being played. He gets told every day how wonderful he is by his minions and he gets his jollies on the applause of those who are as clueless as he is, as to how international operations work.
I feel truly sorry for all the people in the Middle East who have suffered over the decades because their countries have oil that we wanted. I feel sorry for all the chaos we caused over there in trying to control people who didn't want to be controlled.
And, as long as the sexual aggressor-in-chief remains in office and publicly endorses an accused pedophile, the outrage over others' sexual aggression is just hypocritical.
1
It is up to the GOP to remove the 45th president ...for any reason they deem essentially for being a moron and un-American ( racist, misogynist, etc ...).
Failing that, it is up to the people of the United States to remove the GOP from power in 2018. All patriots must actively support the opposition to the GOP across the country, We must fan out across the county and right this terrible wrong.
1
If Jared Kushner is really in charge of securing Middle East peace he has been cut off at the knees. And Trump has proved once again that he is not only an idiot but a danger to world peace. Only an imbecile would think that giving Jerusalem to Bibi Netanyahu on a silver platter will bring the Palestinians to the negotiating table, or please other Muslim nations in the region. Trump has single-handedly turned the United States into an international pariah, added immeasurably to tensions in the most conflict-prone part of the world and united our enemies and allies in universal condemnation of American foreign policy. Just think, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan all agree on the folly of this move. And for what? To please Israeli settlers and wealthy Zionist donors like Adelman? To please Christian Evangelicals, you know, those who want a child molester in the Senate? To please an ignorant "base" whose knowledge of Middle East history is as negligible as his own? Trump has given Putin exactly what he wants -- increasing U.S. isolation, chaos in U.S. politics and an increasingly unstable "leader of the free world." And the Chinese are laughing themselves silly.
4
The artifice of this steal is that Israel wants every piece of the Holy Land to the exclusion of Christians and Muslims.
Trump should be commended and praised for cutting through the callous corrupt cynical hypocritical two-state delusion that either an Islamic Muslim state of Palestine or a Zionist Jewish state of Israel could ever be confused with a civil secular plural egalitarian democracy where all persons are divinely naturally created equal with certain unalienable rights including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Indeed, the Palestinian "state" would a sterilized lobotomized chimera.
America is beholden to the bipartisan Israel Lobby by finance, propaganda, espionage and interference in American politics and elections by a hostile dependent foreign alien power that acts contrary to American values and interests. Israel can be Jewish or democratic it cannot be both. With 80% of the world's 16 million Jews equally distributed between Israel and America, the 2% of Americans have an inordinate disproportional influence in America. America does not need nor deserve an "ally" like Israel.
The one-state solution of a civil secular plural egalitarian democracy incorporating 6.1 million Zionist Israeli Jews and 6 million Christian Muslim Arab Israelis is the only just moral solution. Jewish Americans are the realization of a nation that is safe for and good for the Jews as sought by Zionists.
1
Israel right now allows for Christians and Muslims to pray in Jerusalem, and they don't plan on excluding them anytime soon. You keep on forgetting that Israel allows for a lot more religious freedom than what most of the other countries in the Mid East allow for. In some of the Muslim countries, they are persecuting Christians and other religions just for practicing their beliefs while not even allowing for Jews to enter in many of them. As a matter of fact, anybody who isn't Muslim can't even go to Mecca, but that doesn't seem to concern you for some reason even though Jerusalem welcomes all faiths. Whether or not the rest of the world will recognize Jerusalem as Israel's true capital and even plan on moving their embassies there in the near future, there are no plans on excluding other groups besides the Jews from praying there. For the umpteenth time, Israel isn't a theocracy as such a claim has been debunked countless times over yet those such as yourself continue to believe such a myth. Just flying the star of David on their flag doesn't make them a theocracy either, and I could say the same thing about so many other countries have religious symbols on their flags such as most Muslim countries having the star and crescent on theirs', but those don't seem to bother as much as the Israeli flag does. As for Zionism, it's not about a theocracy, it's about creating a country that's both a home for them especially where they can trace their roots to.
2
Friedman, the wild eyed schoolboy at it again. Trump shoulda' ... woulda', coulda'.... And the Scarecrow sang if I only had a brain. This President does not care about Jerusalem, where the capitol is, The Palestinians, or anything or anyone but himself. Do you really think he could negotiate a deal in the Middle East? Do you really think he read the TPP trade deal, or NAFTA, or the Iran Deal or anything that takes even a tiny bit of concentration. He can barely read the scripted teleprompter for goodness sake. His masters ( the Ultra Right ) told him what to do and he does it. He keeps getting to play President with his name in lights. I don't know whether you, Friedman, are totally naive, dumb, both or what. Wake up and stop writing this ridiculousness.
2
Where was this commentator during the Obama Administration?
I blame the negotiators at Yalta for this mess. They should have given Germany and much of Poland to the Jewish people! I believe that the Jews are the Chosen People; Israel is theirs and they are surrounded by enemies. However, I would have loved to see the Germans and the Poles who collaborated with the Nazis exiled to the far corners of the world and their countries given to the Jewish people. At a minimum, we wouldn't have to listen to Angela Merkel.
1
Can't stand Trump--complete moron. Totally agree with your China assessment and the complete idiocy of Trump ripping up the TPP. On the other hand, to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capitol may, despite all the naysayers, push the Palestinians to the negotiating table after 70 years of blowing the many opportunities they have had to have their own country. Clearly they are upset because they are now scared that their 70 years of playing on the world's sympathies with the Jerusalem card may be coming to an end. Maybe now they can reach down and find a Sadat or Hussein and jetison the the failed and corrupt leaders that have done nothing but take the money the world gives them to line their pockets yet continuously fail to deliver a viable and idependent state willing to live side by side with Israel. The Sunni countries will pay lip service by denouncing Trump's statement to placate their constitutents but the Palestinians now know they have lost those countries' support that they thought they had for the last 70 years. There is now fracture caused by Iran and the Sunni countries now value cooperation with Israel over the continued failed Palestinian M.O.
To play devil's advocate here, Trump acted based on the reality the Palestinians created themselves and have only themselves to blame for it. The idea of a two state solution is already established and accepted by every country in the western world. The accepted upon plan is two states with Israel keeping the main settlement blocks in exchange for territory in Israel and a negotiated settlement that focuses exclusively on eastern Jerusalem.
This plan has been presented to the Palestinians since 1990, 27 years ago. And every single last time the Palestinians simply picked themselves up from the table and walked away without even having the common sense, or at least common decency, of explaining to whichever US president put months of work into facilitating the talks, why they decided to walk away. This in addition to never bothering to state what their issue was with the solution that was proposed so at least the world can get an idea as to what it is they want.
Israel's policy is that the Palestinians pay a price for keeping the conflict going, by showing the Palestinians that Israel is not patiently waiting to see whether they will finally decide they want peace.
Trump has now adopted the same policy that the US is not patiently waiting another 27 years for them to get their act together and has had enough of them simply walking away.
So perhaps this time around the Palestinians will finally understand that walking away from Trump's peace talks will come with a heavy price.
5
Trump supporters relish the Trump giveaways to China, Israel, pedophiles, sexual predators, the gun lobby and the 1% with the same glee and joy as the folks in Jonestown in Guyana swigged down the Koolade. The ultimate result will inevitably be the same. Sad.
3
Only one explanation: Putin owns Trump and, by extension, Trump’s Republican Party. No other explanation is rational.
One word: IRAN......
Short term memory syndrome for Friedman.
4
LIVE Palestinian Muslim Protests Clashes And Riots Over Jerusalem Israel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHaskX824nY
A delightfully anti-Zionist screed from the NY Times. What a shock. The disgusting claims that Israel should give up settlements on the West Bank, which is Israel's land, won when the Arab Nations launched an unprovoked war, is absurd. Not to mention that Israel has repeatedly and consistently offered peace, and that the "Palestinians" and their terrorist government repeatedly has refused.
That the "Palestinian" apologist Friedman, a Jew no less should call Trump a "chump" and "ignorant" is itself the height of ignorance.
Friedman also gives away something of his own. By claiming that Trump only sees himself as "President of his base", one can conclude that Friedman and the Democrats do, in fact, hate Israel.
5
Aside from his venality and demagoguery, Trump is also stupid. It's a characteristic fed by his profound ignorance, arrogance, and lack of curiosity. This cannot be pointed out often enough.
5
"Look at me, look at me, look at me," proclaims our Orange Narcissus, our clueless, blundering blunderbuss. Of course, Jerusalem is Israel's capital, but by officially recognizing it and not balancing the statement with anything with regard to the Palestinians, we cripple our ability to foster negotiations. This is not realism. This is just stupid.
2
Stupid is as stupid does! But you gotta hand it to him for consistency. This is a perfect example of another doomed-to-fail Trump-branded real estate deal. With Kushner and "Ambassador" Jason Greenblatt in the mix, the only missing element is the ghost of Fred Trump advising his son to evict the Palestinians.
4
Trump's ignorance and stupidity is astounding.
3
This is all Bannon.
3
There must be a trash fire somewhere on the planet that Donald Trump won't pour gasolene on, but I have no idea where it would be.
This is the foreign policy of an arrogant, selfish, ignorant firebug: people who're cheering because they hallucinate that this helps Israel need to realize that this sort of pep rally comes with a very, very large bill.
3
"I’ve never seen a president give up so much to so many for so little."
True - but his minions, many of which can't find Israel on a map and think Jews have horns, woke up deliriously happy this morning.
2
Please don't treat "Jews" and "Israeli Government" as synonyms.
3
Apparently, Mr Friedman was asleep through the entire Obama administration. 'Give-away' they name is 'Iran deal'. Perhaps when Hezbollah attacks Israel and nuclear missiles start flying from Tehran, Mr. Friedman will awake from his long slumber.
4
He had bmllions of reasons. Adelson gave $25 mill to the PAC supporting the PUS, and another $5 mill to the inaugural committee. Don't you even read the newspaper that publishes your columns? https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000005590948/sheldon-adelso...
1
Now the evangelical radicals, who are quickly taking control of this country, can have their Capitol in Jerusalem from which the End Times will come and they will be all Raptured into Heaven while we sinners burn. What a great time to be alive.
1
‘The Art of the Deal for the Apprentice, is “no deal (Required)”. ‘What ever you seek, is yours to have’. Trump offers no surprises, just outrage. The dolts that voted him in should suffer for their blind stupidity.
1
"A fool and his money are soon parted." What did you expect from a fool as your president?
1
So much "winning"......
I get tired of your excellence. The "Moron" politics just keeps on coming with no source of optimism other than the mid terms to turn the tide and then he will still be POTUS!!
My salvation is to live in Canada where ,not perfect , we have some idea of where the world is going.
Thanks
1
A balanced and informed look at Trump the Chump— quite a difference from the piece I just read from Irael firster John Podhoretz in the N.Y. Post. Can’t wait for Bari’s inevitable gushing piece.
Now I am sure Trump did not write the Art Of A Deal the moron does not know how to make deals , he failed on all front & has to be impeached!
But.but.but..Benghazi. Emails.
why is he nicknamed "the moron"? the article clearly show why. for a so called expert on negotiation he has shown why it is so called.
As a Jew does the author who writes almost always as if he was a self hating member of his mosaic persuasion appreciate the Russians and Americans who gave up so much for so little in rescuing Jews in Nazi concentration camps?
Author's convinced he knows better what the security considerations of Israel are and spares not a column to cirticize Israel. Author thinks thus he will be liked and appreciated by Israel's critics and thus enjoy life long employment at NYT.
4
The two most idiotic leaders in the free world are now a team. Netanyahu and Trump are setting the table for an Israel and United States which are damn near universally despised not only in the Islamic world but most of the rest of it.
Meanwhile, our adversaries advance. What hath God wrought?
1
My parents, Zionists since the early 1900s, must be turning in their grave from the action of D(delirium)onald
T(tremens)rump.
http://members.efn.org/~hkrieger/herzlia.jpg
For someone who constantly brags about his negotiating skills, he shows a woeful ignorance of real negotiation. His deal-making history is one of lying, making promises that he never intended to keep, reneging on promises, hiding behind bankruptcies, and relying on his lawyers to make it prohibitively expensive for the victims of his deceit to be recompensed. That doesn't work so well in international relations.
The article correctly identifies Trump's real objective: to appease his evangelical base and their emotional pro-hardline Israel / anti-Muslim, anti-Arab beliefs. He doesn't give a damn about peace.
2
None of what Thomas Friedman is stating in his editorial is a surprise. Trump has to be one of the most self centered, incompetent, impulsive, and disdainful people ever to occupy the Oval Office. He has no compunctions about rewarding the uber rich in America, no qualms about helping to destroy the meager social safety net we have, and no issues with boldface lying when the opposite is on tape or in writing. In other words we have a president who is, with the eager assistance of the GOP, the Koch Brothers and others like them, betraying America.
I see what he did with Jerusalem as another sign of his selfishness. It would be another story if he'd said that he'd like to see progress because Jerusalem is the heart and soul of Judaism. He didn't say that. He doesn't understand the first thing about Israel, the Palestinians, or the history of the Middle East. It's not a straightforward narrative where the Palestinians are all wrong or the Israelis all right. It's a mixture of every culture and religion and regime that has ever been there or remained there. But Trump doesn't understand that. He wants to make the grand gesture without having the necessary support in place.
3
A political Arsonist. AND a Moron.
Thanks, GOP.
10
The Israeli move was to please one person. Sheldon Adelson. The China posture is to please the base. Too bad the base is so stupid.
8
Only a moron would fail to notice that Israel has absolutely zero interest in any kind of two state solution. I’m convinced they have no jnterest in a peace agreement of any sort. Further trump has been taken for a ride by the Saudis as well. Btw, Tom, people may read you, but no one listens to you.
5
Mr FRIEDMAN, I can see that you are really happy for the Jewish people. You forgot To be a proud Jewish and I feel sorry for you.
5
Sir, we are not "Jewish people," we are Jews. I am a Jew as I was born with that ethnicity. Being born with a certain identity is something to be recognized and perhaps influenced by, but carries little need for pride which is both divisive and a sin. Personally I am anything but happy as a human being for the monstrous actions of Trump which will fuel conflict and bloodshed.
1
Well he is an American citizen, not an Israeli citizen.
What would you Israelis do if you lost our support? I'm talking money, I'm talking military support, I'm talking vetoes at the UN, I'm talking about Israel not being treated the way South Africa was. If you think that can't happen or wouldn't matter...
"The art of deal" can only apply to the American people. It is backed up by his highly paid attorneys and the U.S. Court system.
When dealing with foreign power like China, North Korea and Russia. The old tricks do not work anymore.
All of a sudden, a tiger becomes a pussy cat.
As the old Chinese saying" a bully's heart is full of insecurity and fear".
3
Jerusalem became the capital of Israel only after the genocide, ethnic cleansing of Canaanites during the time of Moses and Joshua -- a holocaust.
2
Actually recent archaeological research shows that that never happened. The Hebrews did not come from Egypt, they were indigenous to Canaan. The Exodus and subsequent genocide were made up stories.
If I were Jewish I would be relieved that my people hadn't committed genocide. I suspect at least some Jews will be angry to hear the facts. Which must mean that they were proud of the genocide!
The Jews in America aren't doing so well.
3
Is there a time
When the world does not rhyme
Reason with me
And you shall see
That it is not so mysterious
Unless you are serious
With a devil like trump
In the white house dump
Running loose lips
Shooting from the hips
Mushroom cloud appear
Bend over, kiss your rear
And bid good-bye
As everything go flyin' high
Jerusalem, Rome burn
Trump playing the lyre, unconcern
4
Too bad Dumb Donald did not include his ego and his mouth in the giveaway........now THAT would be a Christmas!!!!
4
"...us from looking like making a one-sided gesture will only complicate peacemaking and kept the door open to Palestinians." That's laughable in that every intelligent person in the world who has followed the Israeli occupation of Palestine knows that it continues to exist because of the U.S. The so-called last superpower consistently protects and funds Israel's domination of the Palestinian people and their land. The US has never been fair in its facilitation of the middle east peace process. The notion of a 2 state solution will never happen because Israel wants it all and will never accept the Palestinians as their equal. Americans don't give a damn because they truly believe that white Jews are the purported chosen people of their fictitious bible. AIPAC owns our presidency and Congress; so this comes as no surprise. Obama and previous presidents wanted to do it, but they knew it was politically insane to do so. Trump just gave Islamist extremists another reason to hate and possibly attack us. How much longer will we sacrifice our nation for the Israeli occupation?
3
"Today, Trump just gave it away — for free. Such a deal! Why in the world would you just give this away for free and not even use it as a lever to advance the prospect of an Israeli-Palestinian deal?" At this point in the Trump administration, have you reporters still not figured this ding dong out? He's so freaking obvious, it's sickening. He did it to deflect form the Mike Flynn report that came out yesterday in the WaPo and Donnie Jr spent all day getting grilled in Congress about the Russia meeting in June 2016. Every single time there is anything of significance about the Russia investigation that comes out in the news, Trump throws a deflection out there to distract from the Russia investigation. He has no loyalty to anyone but himself and his own and has shown repeatedly that he will throw anyone, or any country, under the bus to try to save his and his family's butts. Wake up and smell the coffee.
3
Every administration since the Nixon era has supported the state of Israel unconditionally. As if the Jewish state were the equivalent of Puerto Rico in the Middle East.
Why then the big deal about Trump recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel?
8
Perhaps you should read the column you commented on, and the various analyses in every print publication around the world, to understand why “the big deal”?!
Trump cares only about appealing to his base with quick, easy "wins". He is not interested in the complexity and hard work that come with diplomacy.
16
It's not just his base. Myself and virtually all my friends are so happy he has done this. None of us are republicans and most of us want him impeached asap. But arguing that everything he does is wrong is silly. There is no one who never does anything right. Even a broken clock is right twice a day. This is finally something he has done right.
3
The bigger giveaway is to Trump, INC for contracts to either construct the new embassy or lease the embassy to our government - or both. Either way, Donald Trump stands to gain many millions.
5
What a great way to diminish the power of the United States! The door will open wider in the Middle East. Putin is proud.
5
The US has been withholding recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital since Israel was founded, ie, 1948, ie 70 years ago! This was the strategy for a final status peace accord? Boy Trump really blew it, we were getting so close to peace in the Middle East under Obama as he was just wrapping up the final day of the 150 year peace talks. Please.
And Trump didn't say the two things suggested because the US is no longer sitting on the fence. On November 8th, 2016, it got off the fence on the side of Israel. We chose Israel.
So no, we don't tell Israel to stop building....anywhere, and no we don't say we are establishing an embassy in the state of Palestine in East Jerusalem. We ARE making a one sided gesture, and it was our intention that everyone take note of it.
And your argument against it is, it complicates peacemaking? Between Israel and the Arabs? Again, PULEASE!
10
Hey, how's Netanyahu's corruption trial going?
1
Balderdash! Trump got 46% of the vote, millions less than Clinton. I know you Trumpies would like to obfuscate that fact but facts is facts!
Not to mention that this wasn't a major issue in the election.
The country is moving left and Trump is accelerating that. If Israel comes to be identified with the Republican party they will end up regretting that hugely.
1
Trump has always been about transactions. He has never been strategic. In business, he gets partners who want to be in a deal or need to be in a deal that he can bully, because he bought or inherited some real estate. Unfortunately, Global Politics works differently. Everything is about relationships. Trump has no relationships as a thoughtful editorial noted yesterday in the NYTs.
Isolation might work for him personally in the real estate business because his wealth and his father's inherited real estate portfolio gives him leverage, but international politics is infinitely more complex than real estate. In fact, real estate is the most simplistic of all businesses.
As a result, he does not realize that his lost credibility makes him and unfortunately us as the United States largely irrelevant to the world. W. Bush had a less intense shortcoming of the same type in overstating US importance in the world and he burst the bubble of our inviolability by taking us into two losing wars. Trump is doing far worse as everyone knows he is the emperor with no clothes and they can simply ignore him once he has given away all our valuable bargaining chips. I don't know if Putin got him elected, but he must must be having a great laugh at his incompetence that has reinvigorated Russia's position in the world.
8
It is becoming clearer that Members of the the Trump team and perhaps Trump himself planned to make money by doing away with Russian sanctions. This pay to play scheme can fit all kinds of government dealings, perhaps even recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel. Would any Israeli or Jewish American desire this strong enough to make it a financially worthwhile ?
3
Why do you assume Trump could solve any world problem.
When visiting Israel this year and having previously visited Saudi Arabia, he said to a group of gathered Israeli officials: "As you know, I've just come from visiting the Middle East."
He does not even know that Israel is in the Middle East.
The man is without knowledge, logic, sophistication or thought.
He is a very dangerous person.
11
Here we are, reading, thinking, talking, and prognosticating. Donald Trump is the kid in the toy box whom we dread, but tolerate as he makes his mess, confident that we'll simply clean up after he leaves.
But this kid is breaking the toys, and diluting, at minimum the glue we might use to put them back together. From whom do we buy the new glue? Mr. Xi, Mr. Putin?
8
We need to make the glue ourselves. How? Well, the complete destruction of the evil conspiracy known as the Republican Party/Conservative Movement would be a great start.
Next year don't just vote in November, be sure to check out all the Democrats in the primaries and vote for the best. This will be even more important, of course, in 2020. We need to elect a real leader.
I’ve had this idea for years. Move the United Nations to Jerusalem and make Jerusalem an international city. A multi-religion Council can make sure that all represented religions are respected. It’s ridiculous to keep arguing over the ancient importance of this one city. It is almost 2018 and the time is now. Christians, Jews and Muslims can’t keep arguing for eternity over the same bit of land. Each one claiming it’s their most important holy site. We get it. We all have the same claim and that has wreaked havoc on the region. How much more blood has to be spilled? And while we are at it it’s time to end the refugee status of Palestinians living in other countries. When you are the fourth generation born in Lebanon you should have all the rights and privileges of a Lebanese citizen. My grandparents escaped Russia and Poland. I’m American not a refugee.
5
President Trump's decision to begin the phased re-location of the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is another promise kept. Friedman's contemptuous referral to the president's "base" as some sort of fifties-era sci-fi movie blob that demands to be satisfied, has become the Trump-haters default explanation for all of Trump's decisions. It allows his detractors to retain a delusional sense of the high-ground: What do these denizens of fly-over America know about the wider world anyway? Someone should write a book about Friedman called: "The Art of Making a Living Despite Being Wrong About Almost Everything."
3
His remaining “base” is now at 32%, made up of gun loving evangelicals and conflict of interest profiteers, like himself. Tell me, what do these denizens of fly-over America know about the wider world?
1
Wait a minute not everyone thinks that Israeli should get to keep the existing settlement block, land they stole from the Palestinians.
I guess that is one of the many tragedies of Trump, unfair suggestions like that can look reasonable compared to him.
3
If you really think that Israelis stole that land from Palestinians; I suggest you go back and open up a history book to the classical and post-classical era. Judea (region Israel/Palestine occupy) was the birthplace of Judaism. Jews held that land for multiple centuries until Mohammed and his followers expanded Islam to the Levant by the use of bloody warfare (Not to mention, after they took Jerusalem, they forced mandatory conversion and expulsion for Christians and Jews alike). If we are on terms of "whose land it is", then by all means you should be support the Israelis.
2
Trump acts with little insight. I wish I could even say he acts first and then thinks. But that is not at all what he does- he simply acts and let's the chips fall where they may. He looks for a moment of gratification not a lasting resolution.
The short of it is simply he is not presidential material. That is it and nothing more.
He spending another weekend here in Palm Beach- another 3 million of our dollars-for a game of golf-at which, we know down here, he cheats at.
Well we all know that a person who cheats at golf-cheats in life!
8
Spot on, Tom. Excellent column. Trump reflects his base and his base reflects him and that isn’t s good thing. It will take a very smart, tenacious next administration to undo all the damage to the U.S. and the world that this bush league group has done. Not that they really care as long as they make a profit.
5
Trump pays off billionaire donor, Sheldon Adelson. Such are the wages of plutocracy.
"We can have democracy in this country or we can have great wealth concentrated in them hands of a few, but we can`t have both."
--Suxpreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis
6
Nothing unexpected here considering American consistent support of Israel and long term hostility and denial of PpPalestinian human rights in their homeland.
It being Jerusalem this is not the first time falsoe allegations and ahistorical claims were made in uthe past with the Crusaders .
We all know how that ended
As a Moslem Arab Palestinian , Jerusalem born with very old roots in the blessed city I feel sad but not desperate .
It is just an American new confirmation of American contempt of Palestinian rights in their home land.
History will decide the real legetimate identity of Jerusalem
Thomas, your book was not "From Beirut to Tel Aviv" but "From Beirut to Jerusalem"....
Trump did not make Jerusalem the capital of Israel. Jerusalem is, and has always been, Israel's Capital. All that Trump did was saying aloud what everybody has known forever. Israel's President, Prime Minister, the Knesset, the Supreme Court and most Ministries, are in Jerusalem.
Those denying this reality are at best naive or at worst want to deny Israel's existence as a Jewish State.
Maybe one day, when Arab Palestinians wake up to the reality of Israel, arrangements need to be found to accommodate an Arab Palestinian flag somewhere in Jerusalem.
I do not often agree with Trump but he is right that recognizing the obvious that Jerusalem is Israel's capital is not about giving up a negotiation issue but about basing the negotiation ground on reality.
Arabs can only blame themselves for voting UN resolutions that deny Jewish roots of Jerusalem and Palestine.
7
Read the article. It does not deny the reality of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. It simply points to Trump's inability to make a deal, something he has the reputation to be able to do.
Oy vey! We are done as the most powerful economy in the world. I want to cry.
3
Ya know
Maybe you just don't know all of the elements that went into the trade
You seriously think the public has all the information about what goes into these agreements
Trump did just issue a demarche to the Saudis instructing them in no uncertain terms to stop the embargo
Perhaps the unspoken price Trump demanded from the Israelis is to accept the defeat of their project in Syria and back of Lebanon
Who knows? Certainly not the public, and maybe that is for the best.
Calling Trump's actions an 'art' is an insult to art and true artists everywhere. This is more like a prankster who hands out exploding candy to unsuspecting children. While Trump's intense need to be liked is a problem, those closest to him, his family and financial supporters, who should be able to offer common sense, seem to be prodding him on. I'm not worried about the Palestinians or the Arabs overall, they will survive, but will Israel?
This article points out how devastating to American values and interests it is that Trump's cabinet is afraid to speak up. What happened to cabinet secretaries with integrity? When the POTUS promotes policies that are contrary to the Secretary's convictions, the Secretary resigns, or he/she used to. The Trump cabinet is populated with spineless sycophants.
3
Mr. Friedman, the comment " The Jews are...whispering to their kids: 'There really is a Santa Claus.' " contains several misleading assumptions. The idea that a political victory for Israel's governing class or the far right of the American Jewish community is also a victory for "The Jews" presumes that 1) the Israeli government speaks for the international Jewish community and 2) the international Jewish community supported Trump's decision. Both are inaccurate. "Jews", "Israelis" and "Jewish Israelis" should not be used interchangeably. This narrative plays into the hands of those anti-Semites for whom any action taken by the Israeli government is viewed as being explicitly supported by every Jewish person. At the same time it should be noted that unlike your implication that "the Jews" are celebrating Trump's announcement, European Jews and American Jews in particular have largely spoken out against the timing and nature of this decision, even if they may well believe Jerusalem is the undisputed capital of Israel. Trump's decision is not an early Christmas - it is a solemn day we may all one day rue as the final nail in the coffin of the illusive Middle East peace process.
9
To the points that he is ignorant and cares only about his base, I'd add a third and fourth: he's a contrarian, and he likes to destroy.
Also, in the case of Israel, he's on board with more settlement building. Plus, he's probably happy to undermine son-in-law Kushner, of whom he's jealous (Kushner is probably wealthier) and because he gets his kicks by making people squirm.
1
Why are we surprised when Trump’s Ambassador to Israel is his former bankruptcy lawyer who is to the right of Netanyahu in his support of the settler movement and has no interest in a two-state solution.? Trump is less concerned with his base here than he is with paying off his debt to Sheldon Adelson. The actual moving of the embassy will probably take years but Trump can look as if he doing something rather than grand-standing. His foreign policy is completely bankrupt and I’m afraid David Friedman can’t help him at all.
3
If this is what winning looks like, stop already--I'm tired of winning.
3
Trump is not concerned with diplomacy because he is not concerned with protecting peace between Israel and the Palestinians. This is his deliberate attempt to assure a one state solution and the end of the Palestinians. Guided by Netyanyahu, and Bannon's scary world epic view of the "West" against Islam.
1
You are very right in calling trump as the president of his base. He is not really behaving as the president of all the USA. I never felt him as my country's leader.
1
Trump's courageous keeping of his campaign promise only affirms both the historical truth and the present reality.
King David founded Jerusalem and it has been in its long and complicated history the capital city of only one people, the people of Israel.
Does it really make any sense at all to deny the people of Israel the right to choose their own capital? l
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NO one is denying Israel the right to choose their Capitol. Arabs also have just as strong a claim to Jerusalem as Israel.
They can share.
I absolutely love your book title. The man who prides himself on deals, just gave it all away for nothing. What a perfect way to show up DJT.
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Friedman has provided us with two classic lines this morning. "The Art of The Giveaway" and "Trump is a chump".
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"Trump is susceptible to such giveaways, not only because he is ignorant, but because he does not see himself as the president of the United States. He sees himself as the president of his base." This is a great line. Trump only deals with positive information about himself. He loves the cheers that his base gives him and wants them to keep coming.
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Actually, he gave away quite lot. Knowing that it would put the Middle East, if not much of the world, on edge – he forged forward to break the impasse. The boil was lanced. France 24 reported that Pres. Abbas called Jerusalem "the eternal capitol of Palestine." Time for real discourse rather than more hostage like natterings that keep the pot boiling whilst millions of Syrians displaced or killed, Yazidis murdered and plundered, and Yemenis suffering scorched earth.
Just maybe rapprochement and maybe even peace between Israel and Palestinians is possible once the convulsive hysterics simmer down.
Next step in this negotiation, with the world in opposition, is for President Trump to acknowledge that the US Embassy will be located in West Jerusalem.
Trump did it to get Roy Moore elected in Alabama. He just reminded the evangelical base of why they don't care about Roy Moore's lack of integrity when his presence in the Senate will continue a Republican majority.
Let's not forget that Trump is the Chaos President. He thrives by creating chaos and keeping the entire world off-balance. This has always been the leverage he wields to his own advantage, after all, it got him into the White House.
Look for more chaos at home and abroad in every possible regard. Trump lives to turn over the tables of civilization. Trump is not a visionary statesman and does not have any preconceived idea of what would replace the order and civility of society, but he will make sure that everyone knows he is the center of the universe.
Trump is America's Caligula. The big difference is that Caligula inherited the title of Emperor from his family, whereas Americans chose a madman to be Commander in Chief controlling a nuclear arsenal that can obliterate most of the planet - a power Caligula could only dream of.
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"He sees himself as the president of his base."
that's it, that's all there is under the hair. i expect his decision making, such as it is, to get a lot worse and quickly. i think he is headed for a major and very public breakdown.
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Israel is running full speed toward one-state from the river to the sea. The demographics of the region means that Palestinians will outnumber Israelis. If the Palestinians are not given citizenship with equal rights and responsibilities, Israel will be an apartheid state. Some argue that is the situation now in the occupied territories.
The world will hold Israel in the same contempt that it held apartheid South Africa. The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement will grow across the globe and in the United States. At some point, Israel will have to declare itself a non-sectarian democratic state and move toward political and economic equality for Palestinians. The question becomes: how long will it take for this to happen?
Has the Palestinian Nelson Mandela already been born?
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Mr. Friedman assumes that recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital is a "giveaway" since it is not conditioned on advancing the peace process. True, if the only coin of the realm you deal in is the "peace process," which has been dead for years and, like Francisco Franco, is likely to remain dead. There are other coins that include: 1) A message to Putin that Israel and the region are extremely important to the US, and both he and his Iranian allies had better be careful in Syria, 2) A heads up to Saudi Arabia who have been fearing the Palestinians for years and have recently advanced a peace proposal (published in the the New York Times) that names Abu Dis, rather than Jerusalem, as the capital of a reduced Palestine, 3) A message to Egypt, a US ally, that one can trust the US to support it allies (unlike the messages sent by the O'bama administration) and 4) Warnings to both Turkey and Iran that they are on the wrong side of US policy and will remain there if they too do not refrain from threatening an important US ally.
As in science, your model is only as good as your assumptions. And Mr. Friedman's out of date assumptions about an imaginary peace process are simply irrelevant to current American policy on the ground in the Middle East.
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Friedman's comments on TPP were quite enlightening, as Bernie Sanders last great stand in 2016 was fervent opposition to TPP, claiming that ratification would create environmental havoc Specifically, that China could come into US courts to sue against unfair regulations. The Berniecrats ate up this fake news and pounded Clinton with the "disaster" of TPP. Facebook was filled with anti-Clinton, anti-TPP posts right up to the Nov election. TPP disinformation was used by the alt-Left to election trump. Susan Sarandon got the revolution she wanted.
DJT is our Anarchist In Chief. His immediate goal appears to be to poke every bear out there; to disrupt standing agreements and thereby - I believe - create a world where populations will seek strong-willed dictatorial leaders to bring "balance" back to their lives and where the wealthy few will need not give regard to the middle and lower classes of their societies. In a disrupted world, someone like DJT can capture more power and more wealth; his long-term true goals.
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As he said in his speech (just couldn't help himself), he is "keeping his promise to keep America safe"...tho I don't know how that can be when this is just another roadblock in finding a way to bring these two cultures together. I, personally, find it offensive. First, how would we feel if a foreign country made diplomatic decisions for us (should Russia appoint Moscow, Iowa as our new capital)? Secondly, as many have stated this was not an "achievement". More taxpayer money will be sent for a "beautiful" new embassy (who will get the contract to build it?), while at the same time he is gutting our diplomatic corps. He just wants another memorial to himself. The most pathetic part of his speech was when he enumerated the other "promises" he has kept, basically waiting for the applause he seems to so desperately needs. If he wasn't shaming our country, I could almost feel sorry for him.
Excellent column. So true. But trying to convince Trump of anything based on common sense and foreign policy expertise is a waste of time - Trump lives in his own world where he is the all-knowing supreme being and therefore can ignore anything that he doesn't like.
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I guess you missed the previous president's deals with Iran.
Maybe it's a signal to the Palestinians that this president means business. Sorry Mr F your analysis is not always correct and representative of the only path forward. Although you're well paid to make it sound that way.
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If Trump was president back then, Iran would have a nuclear weapon. Because of the deal worked out by Obama and other countries, they don't.
As far as a path forward, well I like to keep my options open. Trump just gave one away to Israel for free.
are you sure Iran doesn't have a weapon?
how/why do you think NK suddenly made great leaps and bounds on their weapons? where did that technology come from?
What Trump is giving away is "other people's stuff", and doesn't care.
He views the presidency and other institutions of our governance in kind: it all as someone else's assets (or money, whatever...), that he can squander as he wishes and suffer no consequences.
Can't go on from here without writing something the NYT politeness watch dogs will not post...
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Look, I understand some of the arguments on both sides here. There is legitimate frustration over West Bank settlements, and it is also undeniable that the consular matter does not touch the part of Jerusalem that is actually in dispute.
That said, it is shocking that we have come to accept the threat of "another intifada" - i.e., the targeted murder of Jewish civilians, including children - as legitimate or justifiable in any manner.
Shame, shame, shame on us.
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Just as legitimate as Israels' continued abuse of the other Semites, the Palestinians.
In my opinion, neither is legitimate. One is simply a reaction to aggression, in the form of destroying communities and taking land in order to build settlements.
Sometimes you can make a situation worse. Just look at our tax cut bill. There won't be enough money left in the government till to pay for our critical social programs like Medicare and Social Security.
Why, they're allready saying we can't afford to pay for the Child Health Insurance program.
Corporations pay taxes that amount to only 10% of the entire country's total revenue. Yet, we can't afford to pay for children's health insurance?
What was the rationale in the mid-1990s that enabled Congress to pass a resolution requiring the US embassy to be moved to Jerusalem? No doubt it was a "gift to the base" for one of the political parties. Everyone must have known that it would not actually happen as both Republican and Democratic administrations have not done it.
As usual, Trump's move was one of self-aggrandizement. As Friedman points out, it merely shows the international community his ignorance. He is a toddler playing with fire.
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I always feel the need to remind NYT readers that a very vocal block of them, along with Sen. Sanders, pressured Hillary Clinton to tear up the TPP.
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I think it is time to think of one state for both, equal rights and citizenship. AIPEC, Evangelicals, Bannon, Pence, Adelson played their role well. The reality of our Politics, Money buys elections plus low emotional and intellectual IQs of the voting public. As for Trump Ignorance, Personality profile, Intellectual issues or a combinations of the above or all of them take your pick.
Trump's narcissism, avarice & pathological need to be liked or approved of colors every one of his decisions. Pragmatism, diplomacy, history, strategy or prudence are of no consequence. The most shallow President in my lifetime. Dangerous times requiring super vigilance on the part of the press and the people.
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Tearing up the TPP and recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel makes Trump supporters happy.
First, the TPP doesn't have the same appeal as "coal mines coming back." They don't need a college education to be a coal miner, the future they want for their grandchildren.
Second, Trump supporters are end of days Christians who look at Trump as their Jesus. Bringing chaos to the Middle East fits right in with their suicidal religious beliefs to please their god and enter paradise. Instead of getting 72 virgins they look forward to a heaven without evil Democrats, Liberals, Progressives, people with empathy, people who care for others, treat all as equal, recognize love trumps hate. Their end of days can't come soon enough but not until a coal mine opens in their town.
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Lets not forget that the giveaway to Israel was even more of a giveaway to Russia and Putin. With us having lost even the slightest pretense of being an honest broker between Israel and the Arab nations - we have also tossed away our influence on the Arab nations. Who is going to get that influence?
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Amusing, really, to see Thomas Friedman attempting to distance himself from Trump's actions, when in fact there's barely a sliver between what Friedman thinks would have been feasible, and what Trump actually did. (This follows closely on another opinion piece by Ehud Barak that was very much of the same color.)
Sorry, Tommy, Ehud and the others. Trump's policies are your creature. You own them now. And it won't be pretty.
"Peace with Honor," anyone?
In 1965 Bob Dylan wrote “I might look like Robert Frost, but I feel just like Jesse James,” which despite Trump’s tough talk rhetoric that his “base” loves, on foreign policy matters, the aforementioned lyric can easily be paraphrased as “I might sound like Harry Truman, but I act just like Neville Chamberlain.”
No matter what the US does or doesn’t do, the main, intractable obstacle to peace is the Palestinians’ refusal to acknowledge the right of the Jewish state to exist.
Also, as a side note, that other sovereign nation needs other counties’ approval on its choice of capital?
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"Here’s what I want from you in return: You will declare an end to all Israeli settlement building in the West Bank, outside of the existing settlement block that everyone expects to be part of Israel in any two-state solution.”
A real estate developer like Trump is never going to insist on limiting development anywhere; and at heart, he is far more real estate developer than president.
And anyone who really thought Trump was ever a super deal maker is willfully ignoring his history of bankruptcy, business failure, and the rumors that he is in debt to the eyeballs to Russian mobsters. A "deal" like declaring Jerusalem Israel's capital in exchange for nothing is absolutely consistent with his business practices of 50 years.
Yes agreed -- he did not think this decision through. So what else is new.
And to the world: Join the club. Hold your breath. Like us, you never know what is coming.
The essential facts of the situation are these:
Nothing that has happened since 1948 has yet convinced the Palestinians to accept Israel as their permanent neighbor.
Until this happens, Israelis intend to go on living lives that are as normal as possible, which includes the right to designate Jerusalem as their capital city.
And if this means giving up some of the normal attributes of a democracy while continuing to pressure the Palestinians to accept them, then so be it.
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As if Israel had made any real concessions just for the symbolic gesture of an American embassy in the desired place. That is nice for them, but hardly important.
And if there was any chance for a negotiated peace in this conflict, it would already have happened over the last several decades. The only thing bringing lasting peace will be a complete ethnic cleansing of the disputed lands. When enemies live intermingled, it makes the enmitiy immortal - passed on from parents to children and revived through daily conflict. When the hostile populations are fully separated, people forget two or three generations later. Poland drove almost all Germans out of the annexed western parts after WW2. Today, there are few problems.
Tom, I agree -- it is shocking, shocking that Donald Trump does not want to just keep doing what you and all the other experts have said to do for all these years. It's been working so well! The "Jerusalem capital" issue has always been a red herring, a wink-wink fiction to the experts or anyone who bothered to do a little homework -- Israel was never giving back all of Jerusalem and would have it as its capital; the only issue is where to divide off East Jerusalem for the Palestinian capital. But these venomous fictions allowed the Palestinian leadership a phony grievance to stir rage in their people. Well, I guess they can enjoy one last rage. Then they can either neogitiate a deal with one less bogus issue, or not.
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Come on, Tom, it's really very simple. Trump simply asks, "What would Vlad want?"
Nothing like having substantial Kompromat is there?
Friedman is missing the big picture once again. Can we suggest our European allies & Friedman recognize the obvious? There is currently NO "Middle East Peace Process." Last time I checked, the founding document of the PLO included a prime commitment to the elimination of the "Zionist entity." The Palestinians are the cause of these problems - not Israeli settlements or anything like that. The Palestinians simply can't accept Israel - period. They refuse to recognize it as a Jewish state, but insist that any Palestine be Islamic. Our European allies have cowardly succumbed to Arab demands for decades. Have you all forgotten how they consistently released PLO murderers and terrorists from prison whenever threatened by the PLO? How Germany released the Munich Olympic murderers it had arrested when the PLO kidnapped some Germans? And how the French paid off the PLO not to commit terrorist attacks in France? As far as I and many other Americans are concerned, what the Palestinians want means nothing. Peace will only come when the Sunni Arab states tell the Palestinians the jig is up and stop supporting them. Let Jordan take a bigger role in this - it was Jordan that lost the West Bank in 1967 when it entered the war. The old "borders of 1967" were never borders - just armistice lines from 1949. They change. The Palestinians will not get Jerusalem or any of it. And they will have to make major concessions. Or one day they will find themselves on the other side of the Jordan River.
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As I read through the comments, I find people who actually thought that the Oslo peace accords were still happening. Almost as deluded as the writer of this column. I have been pro Palestinian for the last thirty years, but what we were witnessing was beating a dead horse. Donald Trump comes with a builder's hard nosed practical attitude to life and he just had it demolished. I know because I've just had a house demolished and rebuilt. So with that logic, I think that it is the only way forward for irretrievably lost causes, and as Stephen King says, "Kill your darlings" for new progress.
After, Arafat's and Sharon's death, the Palestinians and Israelis must think out of the box and for new solutions. At that time it was Ronald Reagan in 1983 who rescued the Palestinians in Beirut. Now I think that the Donald is the only way forward for Palestine and the World.
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Thomas, we tried your approach in the Middle East for generation without any results. It's time for a new direction. Action!
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Sorry mr. Friedman, you are might be very wrong on this one!
Let's be real! For decades now American presidents tried to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
Did it work?
Even when Israel was close to give away 90% of the Palestinian demands, it never worked! Do you ever wonder why?
Because American diplomacy / western negotiation style does not work out for middle eastern culture.
They respect when brute force.
Let's be real. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. Israel is the only westernized country in the Middle East. Israelis are the only ones who understand politically how to deal with these issues. The only flourishing country in the Middle East.
Do you really think that Palestinians extremist groups want peace?
No, they have more power fighting than having peace. it's the Palestinian people who need peace to exist.
Let's be real, Palestinian has more power when they are not negotiable. That's why peace agreement is never achieved.
Maybe just maybe, Trump the bully and dictator understands better the Middle East than Obama the intellectual, who left many Arab countries in disarray. Obama and his predecessors what have they accomplished?
Bottom line, Trump shaking the rug under their feet may force them to be more negotiable.
Mr. Friedman, you have covered the Middle East as an American and a westerner. But I'm not sure you truly understand the Middle East and the Arab countries.
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Dear Mr. Friedman,
What you fail to state, is that any deal presented to the Palestinians without Jerusalem as their Capital, the return of the refugees to the homes they left in Israel, & the 1947 Partition boundaries, was the only way the Palestinians would agree to accept the Jewish State. They knew when they demanded these conditions that Israel would never accept them. In other words they wanted the status quo which gave them the upper hand with World opinion.They have always felt that time was on their side, & eventually the Israeli state would vanish, it’s much like believing Mohammed flew off to heaven on his White Stallion.As long as Israel was alienated without unconditional support from America, they could hold their ground.
What Trump accomplished with declaring Jerusalem as the Israeli Capital was to demonstrate the the United States supports the Jewish State unconditionally. With that, the Palestinians lost their leverage, and are now open to compromise.This was always the missing link to peace, Trump knew this & had the courage to act on it.
I realize this reasoning will not be popular with my Liberal friends, but maybe, after the smoke clears, there will be a lasting peace in the region, & for that, I’m willing to absorb the slings & arrows of the extreme left.
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The Trump Doctrine: Chaos as a Stabilizing Force.
Tillerson was right!
Trump's action has nothing to do with ignorance and everything to do with bigotry.
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Is this what the decline of an empire feels like watching it from the inside?
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Trump's endless bad news has also become Trump's endless old news.
Granted, Trump is the president, albeit a discredited one, but is it really necessary to constantly beat his drum in column after column?
Trump reportedly received a billion dollars of free press publicity during his presidential campaign and is now receiving unending free press coverage of his failed administration.
As a paid subscriber to the NYT, I would greatly appreciate less Trump coverage, somewhat in the order of benign neglect.
Please give more generously of those that deserve coverage for trying to make the world a better place, and less a Trump place where I am ashamed to be a card carrying member!
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Russia in wildest imagination couldn't believe that the USA would sink down to its level without firing a shot. Abdication of the US leadership position in world in less than a year; Sowing chaos throughout the world; Bankrupting our economy while enriching the 1% (Russian translation: Oligarchs), Pitting Americans against one another through misinformation and distraction; Disrupting the rule of law and abdication of all moral authority. Sad.
I would cynically wonder if maybe Trump is doing this at the bidding of his best bud Putin, who would love to see the region go up in flames. I don't buy any suggestion that he is doing it to honor a campaign promise -- he is duplicitous to the core and that would require a degree of integrity (albeits a tiny one, when "honor" means only "destroy").
But when I ask "What would Putin want?", Trump's actions make a kind of perverse sense. We have a Russian agent as president, and many others in his crew, and all are both beholden to Putin and mortally afraid of any truth becoming known about that unholy alliance.
When did we ever demand concessions from a country to put an embassy in its capital?
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Ya think? Seems to only be different if it involves the Jews I guess!
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At least by moving the US embassy to Israel Trump makes clear and reveals for all time Washington's grotesquely one-sided and hypocritical policy on the "peace process." If this is finally the end of Washington's weasel words and sycophantic bowing to powerful lobbies and the stranglehold on American foreign policy by another nation it will be worth it. The death of innocents, both past and future, will not.
And you write this from Germany? The country responsible for the deaths of 6 millions Jews. The only safe haven in the world for Jews is Israel. Had there been an Israel back in the 30's and 40's, many millions of Jews and their descendants would still be alive. And you dare to talk about the deaths of innocents?
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It's clear Trump has never had knowledge of, or interest in, his job description.
Leader of the Free World is an admittedly overblown title, but he's managed to decimate all American credibility in the world. His campaign bluster was similar to that of a family's really right wing and angry uncle who vents at Thanksgiving dinner. The family learns to roll their eyes and move on.
The world's powers now roll their eyes at Trump's repeated and dangerous idiocies. He's the discounted extremist uncle.
China and Russia have moved to fill the power vacuum left by Trump. China talks a good game on trade and green energy, but they're not transparent. Fortunately, Europe and Australia are significant players.
I view it as positive that the U.S. is not part of the TPP. I didn't think the world needed more hormone and anti-biotic laced meats from the U.S., nor Monsanto grains and pesticides.
But, abandoning the Climate Accord and boostng fossil fuels in a time of global warming? Threatening to quit the Iran Nuclear Accord, and provoking North Korea, and risking glabal destruction? The work of an irresponsible braggart.
Allying solely with Israel, an ungenerous country with the worst placement ever, just builds more Middle East hatred toward the U.S., not peace.
Added to this is Trump's Congress and Administration's domestic abuses and their terrorism of poor and middle class Americans.
Trump is still that uncle you dread inviting to dinner.
the president listened to the voters of the u.s.a this bill was passed by congress over 20 years ago. we have had three weak presidents till trump came around
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Trump's base is solidly comprised of Evangelicals. Their position has always been whatever Israel wants Israel gets. Can our Congress ever be more generous in financing Israel. They were falling all over themselves in trying to please Netanyahu when he addressed them, to the point where you wondered who really was in charge of our Mid East foreign policy in the U.S. Certainly not our President. In addition, the press does not want to touch this issue on fear of being described as antisemitic. Now add to that that the President's son in law having a grand plan to resolve the Israeli and Palestinian conflict. Now that is really La La land. So much hypocrisy. So sad.
It is true and well pointed out that Trump is extremely capricious. He breaths to act disruptively, as shown by suddenly announcing the embassy move to Jerusalem. And most importantly, without giving any thought to the ramifications worldwide. He truly is a president of his political base, and has never yet been a president of the people of our nation. He has been jerk of the day, everyday, since his inauguration.
This guy trump is clearly showing that he doesn't know how the world operates. Time for him to go!
He makes these decisions just to take the Media's attention off of the Mueller investigation. The closer the investigation comes to exposing his conspiring with Russia for power and money the more outrageous his actions. And it works for a while. He doesn't care who gets hurt. He is a gangster and is in a shootout trying to figure a way out that won't include jail and the poor house for him or his children. Clearly he doesn't care about making the USA a better country (the greatness myth needs to the way of the dinosaurs) or showing authentic leadership.
A problem with electing a leader whom is over seventy, is that their lifetime on this mortal coil is limited , and they do not have enough stake in the future.
This can be offset in those whom have gained wisdom through experience and education ( both formal as well as the University of Hard Knocks).
Unfortunately Trump is a semi literate incompetent.
The USA is beyond International Laughing Stock rating, it is just too sad to laugh at. The bottom line is this : you guys elected him, and share a collective responsibility.
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For someone who claims to be the ultimate leader (“I know more than anyone!”), Trump is subservient to those he clearly wants to emulate. While his base suffers from Stockholm syndrome, Trump suffers from his all-consuming need to be one of the “cool” kids. So he will give away our country’s power to the one who promises to let him into the club, and Bibi certainly played along. Putin is proving to be a bit more than Trump can handle. I think we are finally beginning to see concrete signs of a crack in Trump’s public facade as the cost of giving so much away has become so high...his slurred speech yesterday seemed to be a sign of a small stroke (a TIA).
Bernie Sanders and then Hillary Clinton also promised to withdraw from the TPP. I don't know what their reasoning was, but Friedman should have mentioned it in his article.
Regarding Jerusalem : isn't the embassy to be moved to West Jerusalem, which was always a part of Israel?
Whether he did it at his Evangelical bases behest, or Bibi’s, the result is that we are so distrusted now we are no longer a player in the Middle East. Who, besides Israel, who will continue to build settlements unabated, benefits from this rashness? Putin, who is elevated in standing by our abdication. Trump was a puppet yet again, and he probably doesn’t even know it.
Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital to please Sheldon Adelson, perhaps as part of a "deal" the two made during the campaign. Adelson wanted it for equally wrong reasons—to look good himself to his Israeli fawners, principally Bibi Netanyahu. Netanyahu wanted it to look good to his Likud "base". Our chief negotiator in seeking Middle East peace, Jared Kushner, has through his foundation helped finance extending settlements on the West Bank, also for shortsighted dealmaking though Mueller will illuminate that for us. All these guys are in it for themselves, not for broader historic or patriotic concerns.
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Is there lurking in Trump’s mind a Trump Hotel Resort Complex with US evangelicals as the primary investors?
Couldn't agree more with Mr Friedman. My instincts tell me that TRUMP is a fool but until recently I have been fearfully watching to see if perhaps I have been wrong all along and this despicable human being (no success will change that fact) elected south of the border is in fact a strategic genius who is going to prove us all wrong...after all no one wants to have their instincts proven to be unreliable. But increasingly it is clear that he is simply a deranged narcissist who is glorying in his freedom to do whatever he wants on the global stage while upsetting the people he hates and being idolized by his ignorant base...well at least I can still trust my instincts...a shallow comfort when TRUMP is hurting people all over the world.
Good points , Another Joe . tRump's base is very base ; baser yet is DJT .
What a sorry lot that doesn't know or understand history and world politics .
Their biggest concerns seem to be , give 'em coal , give 'em guns , give 'em
protected Arctic land to drill and keep foreigners out. Back to the good ol' days.
Retrogression is their anthem and tRump leads the choir . Ignorance and intransigence seem to be their mottos . What a sorry group , yet somehow they are leading our country to ruin . God's speed to Special Counsel Mueller .
Mr. Friedman, you have such a short memory! What exactly did we get for the Iran nuclear deal? A couple of hostages back and a promise that Iran would wait a couple of years before they finish their nukes?
How about the end of sanctions for wonderful communist police state Cuba? Any political prisoners released or freedoms guaranteed? No?
But you're right - you can always ignore the gross errors done by a President you liked.
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Shorter version. He needs to go.
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IMHO, Trump is just looking for a new financing source for his businesses. He's probably tapped out the Russians with his inability to eliminate the sanctions. Now he'll have Israel thinking feeling highly indebted to him.
Why would Trump give away Jerusalem? Because some of his biggest donors wanted it. You need to view this through the lens of our new “cash-and-carry” government. Makes a lot of things easier to understand. Like the current tax bill.
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Exactly what right did Israel have to build the settlement blocks on Palestinian territory as determined by, among other things, the UN partition? Could you give me a legal argument that justifies that Mr. Friedman? No, you can't. In a fair world this dispute would be settled in the World Court after both sides presented their arguments and the court applied the relevant laws. That would inevitably end in a declaration that ALL the settlements are illegal and enable real negotiations between the two peoples, which, of course, will never happen because the USA will use their veto to make sure it never happens. Negotiating with a country that has already stolen half your land is impossible because all they have to do is say 'no,' and stick with the status quo, as Israel has repeatedly done. Oh, there have been offers of a few crumbs, but never anything fair or within the bounds of international law. That's why the only possible negotiated settlement is a complete capitulation by the Palestinians, which will never happen. Their land will be taken by the Israelis acre by acre until they are forced into Jordan as refugees, and then you will blame them. Shame on you.
What Tom Friedman and many commentators forget is that in Aptil 2004, Bush and Sharon exchanged letters by which Israel agreed not to build outside the settlement blocs while the U.S. recognized facts on the ground had changed and that the settlement blocs would remain under Israeli control. Those letters became (non-binding) resolutions passed almost unanimously by the House and Senate, with Sen. Clinton voting "Yea." Following the election of President Obama, however, both he and Secretary Clinton denied that any such agreement ever existed. Had the President and Secretary of State began their administration with the Bush-Sharon letters as a starting point instead of putting "daylight" between the U.S. and Israel, who knows where we would be today?
Now about those bilateral talks with China: let's take a page out of Mr. Friedman's book and move the American embassy to Shanghai and request something in return for moving it back. Great leverage!
He's just got all eyes off of the German bank and the Russian oligarchs and his vast series of corruptions and misdeeds. So, to the selfish madness that is Trump: victory.
Don't forget the BearsEars and Escalante give-backs. They are potent shots at our conservation efforts and should not be forgotten in this time of upheaval at the Jerusalem give away.
It’s a mistake to view Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in terms of American-Israeli relations or U.S. national security interests. Trump did not give away something for nothing. For Trump, the “deal” isn’t even between America and Israel. Instead, it’s between himself and campaign contributors like Sheldon Adelson. In Trumpian terms, he gave away nothing — what does recognizing Israel cost Trump? — in exchange for tens of millions of dollars.
There once was a Washington leader
Who was never much of a reader
Because if he had been
He’d know that the linchpin
Of deals is not being too eager
Wow. Mr. Friedman has written for years and years (including the past 8 years) about the Middle East.
Self-evidently, things are not hunky-dory in the Middle East.
Which leaves 2 possibilities.
Possibility #1: Mr. Friedman's "good" advice has been ignored by the previous President and he should therefore have written extensively how the previous President strayed from following Mr. Friedman's good advice.
Possibility #2: Mr. Friedman's advice was followed by the previous President but the results were not so good - and Mr. Friedman should be appropriately humble.
There does not seem to be much humility on the part of Mr. Friedman. So, that leaves Possibility #1 as the likely perspective - however, the columns by Mr. Friedman criticizing the previous President seems to be overdue. Maybe next week's column will correct this omission.
I am surprised that everybody is treating like a well intended public servant who needs guidance to do better! No he does all of this for personal gain! Wait and compare his net asset prior and after presidency! He has a web of deal-makers who are getting richer as we write! WAKE UP!
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To understand Trump's actions just ask yourself, "What would Putin want?" Then it all makes sense.
1
I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that Friedman has no actual idea what Trump has said to the Israelis, the Chinese or anyone else other than news reports.
If our issues are specifically with China on Trade, focusing on bilateral talks where parties are treated as equals will be the best path to success.
The TPP and it’s parties would water down any effort.
On Israel, we should be strategically removing ourselves from the Middle East generally. Getting involved in their disputes is a waste of time and money.
The give away to Israel, increases the risk of terrorism towards the United States. Even if trump was gambling middle eastern states would do nothing, it adds more fuel to the radicals leading terror groups. It also threatens Saudi Arabia’s transformation away from fundamental Islam.
1
Clearly, Trump is clueless and he still listens to Bannon and the alt-right.
2
Friedman, you're the ignorant one. President Trump made a perfect speech. He acknowledged what every US president should have acknowledged since the creation of the modern State of Israel: Jerusalem is its capital. President Trump was also diplomatic enough to note that his declaration has no bearing on any future negotiated borders. The sad fact remains that the Palestinians will always come up with a new excuse for not negotiating. You seem to forget that it was Abbas who walked away from the negotiating table long before Present Trump was ever elected.
2
It appears the battleship Israel rests in its harbor in the Eastern Mediterranean. 76 years ago another great engine of war was destroyed utterly in very little time. The other side of Mr. Friedman's observation being that seldom has so very much been given to so very, very few. Trump gives a great prize to Netanyahu, the ultra-orthodox, the apocalyptic rapture yearning evangelical. The Church Militant Bannons get exactly what they prayed for: another spark to the powder keg. It must be asked over and over again, what possible benefit could accrue to this country at this time? Tax revenues to the wealthy, national good will and trust to the flames. Barbarians have breached the gate.
1
There once was a Washington leader
Who was never much of a reader
Because if he had been
He’d know that the linchpin
Of deal-making is not to give in
1
Rex Tillerson was right.
2
The entire Trump administration should be found guilty of treason, lined up on the steps of the Capitol, and executed, their bodies left to rot as an example. Include McConnell and Ryan in that, too.
Mr. Freidman:
The TPP was politically dead on arrival no matter who won the presidential election last year. Mr. Trump could not have saved it even if he wanted to. Even HRC recognized that it was politically radioactive and backed away from it.
Globalization and technology have turned out to be a two edged sword that helped some Americans but hurt many others. Presidents Clinton, Bush 43, and Obama did a very poor job in mitigating the job loss and stagnant or declining wages inflicted upon the working class by globalization and technology. The political blowback was predictable.
Don't blame Trump for this travesty. Blame Clinton, Bush jr., Obama--and Ronald Reagan who admitted right wing extremist lunatics into the Republican mainstream and transformed that party into the plutocratic, intellectually bankrupt, hidebound cesspool that it is today. And blame yourself for shilling globalization and technology for the past 20 years without advocating for the American people who were hurt by these albatrosses.
Trump is guided by only two principles: “Is Obama for it?” (then I’m against it) and “Can I profit from it?” (Then I’m for it).
2
It's high time someone pointed out what we all know: Trump does much -- maybe ALL -- of what he does to create conflict. He CRAVES chaos, conflict, confusion, consternation, confrontation and seems unable to get through a day without all of it. This is part of his huge catalogue (another "C" word) of mental deficiencies, but it is entirely real. Of course, we also know that he does what he does to garner as much attention as possible. And if he feels that the level of attention has dropped, he will do something like the stupid and harmful Jerusalem thing in order to bring that level up. This needs to be said loudly and often -- his "decisions" are not the result of thought or serious, adult discussion and consideration, they are the whims and tantrums of a degenerate child.
How outrageous that Trump keeps his promises, and supports our friends rather than our enemies. Let's try to be more like China and Saudi Arabia instead. That will show them!
1
Makes you wonder if there isn't some behind the scenes deal between Bibi and himself, one that just benefits Trump in some way. Or am I giving him too much "credit"?
All Trump can hear is applause. He isn’t interested in details or nuance. News flash - there is a reason that 12 U.S. presidents didn’t officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. And it wasn’t because they weren’t as smart as him.
You could write a new book called '1001 reasons why I hate Trump' filled with comments from the NYT and you would still find plenty of takers. Speaking of, if Obama hadn't sold out Cubans, Trump might not be president today. There's no question motivated Cubans turned out for Trump and against Clinton. So give her Florida, perhaps Pennsylvania, and Michigan, and she's a lot closer to being president. Trump is now president thanks to O.
The Art of the Deal is ... telling the base that it's part of MAGA and their believing it instead of seeing themselves as caged animals.
I understand that you hate Trump and anything that he does but I heartily approve of his finally recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. And why should his recognition of it be predicated on concessions from Netanyahu? Why not demand concessions from the Arabs that terrorize Israel both within it's pre-1967 borders and without it? Why not demand concessions from those who rule Gaza who have chosen to continually send missiles into Israel and dig terrorist tunnels into Israel? Why not demand concessions from the Arab countries surrounding Israel?
That there is so much hate for Israel and that Arabs and Arab countries receive a pass on their bad behavior is a mystery to me. I can only assume it is a continuation of antisemitism. That far too many leftist Jews also engage in it in order to gain acceptance from the left is truly sad. I am one Jew who doesn't care what others think of me. I don't need their approval.
2
As a Canadian, and a longtime supporter of Justin Trudeau, I am seriously dismayed my Prime Minister is remaining completely mute on responding to POTUS's move of your American Embassy to Jerusalem.
Secondly, Friedman is completely correct.
Thirdly, may I ask how many commentators on American national television, and in these comments, or--indeed--NYT reporters and it's very own Editorial Board, have actually been to the West Bank, or Hebron, or Ramallah to see the walls that surround the West Bank? Or to Jerusalem itself? I'd love an answer to that question.
You Americans, over decades and decades, as taxpayers, have paid tens of millions and millions of dollars to construct these despicable walls around East Jerusalem, surrounding Palestinians who have to walk to work to their jobs building homes for Israelis on unsanctioned land.
Not to mention their children walking hours, back and forth, to underfunded schools. Neither child or parent having anything close to access to hospitals. Or access to water, save for their roof top black plastic containers, (go and see them!), controlled by the uncompassionate Israeli waterworks 'civil' servants.
Is anybody here at the NYT, or readers and commentators even aware of these realities?
No need to answer.
Go to Jerusalem and environs, to witness it's timelessness. And hope.
There is not much to say, except that Friedman is spot on.
One more lead weight placed on the wrong side of the "will Trump destroy America scale." Americans, be afraid.
1
The idea of forcing Netanyahu to stop the "settlements" shows how little Friedman respects Israeli sovereignty. He has the same attitude that most all the nations of the world show toward Israel; i.e., we know what's best for you, and we're going to try to get you to do it. This attitude, which underlies the "peace process" and the two-state solution, is what Trump has effectively destroyed, at least on the official level. Of course Friedman resorts to name calling ("chump", "ignorant"...twice): he can't stand letting Israel decide what's best for her own destiny. However, that's a good place to start, for a change.
1
The Palestinian Arabs were given a state in 1948. They rejected it.
Rejections have consequences.
1
After your disappointment in the President for giving Israel the gift that for 22 years Congress has legislated, namely the right of Israel to designate its own capital city, (a right that every other country seems to have), you go on to state that the President is ignorant because he should have realized that giving Israelis the seal of AMERICAN approval to pick their own capital city wasted an opportunity to use Jerusalem's status as a leverage to force Israelis and Palestinians to a peace agreement - presumably, as you suggest, by cleverly offering to designate Jerusalem as a shared capital.
How clever of you. But in your 30years of covering the Middle East and U.S foreign policy, have you failed to noticed that those very smart, Presidents that you praise, all failed to get peace in the Middle East and that somehow dangling the status of Jerusalem as a joint capital in front of Palestinians never got Arabs to sign a peace deal, but did get them to initiate several rounds of Intifada terror wars on Israeli civilians.
As you should know, stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Per your advise, Israelis and Arabs and America's Presidents should keep repeating the failed approach of the past.
Perhaps the ignorant President Trump recognizes the stupidity of pursuing the 30year old failed policies of the past and hopes to have better results by starting his own initiative. He can't do worse than his predecessors.
1
Can anyone name something trump has done to further U.S. interests vs. his own?
The boy who kicked the hornets nest.
1
Friedman:
In thirty years, have you ever seen a president like trump. You don't need to be specific.
Trump had nothing left to give. Obama gave it all away already.
1
Not true. The real giveaway occurred an year ago, when Obama abstained from vetoing a UN resolution condemning Israel. For what? To settle personal scores and deliver payback to Bibi. And with it, lay one more mine for the incoming administration. Nothing at all to do with foreign policy or peace. Just the worst president in US history, staring at a failed legacy, and throwing all the spanners he could grab, then some, to throw at the incoming administration.
Well, that was one such spanner extricated yesterday, along with a warning to the UN, that their (in)actions have consequences.
Also in parallel, a fiction perpetrated by the US and happily endorsed by the world at large, namely, the possibility of negotiating Jerusalem status, was removed from table. Keeping that fiction alive never served Palestinian interests, because it was never sincere. Instead, it was sustained to keep a fake insurance policy against terrorism, alive. Policy, which happily the US has at last decided, no longer needs.
Which makes the US, the Palestinian’s most believable partner in peace. Not France, not the UK. They’re content saying pleasing stuff even if it’s fake. For the Palestinian cause? No. To mollify their local Muslim populations? Most definitely, yes.
1
In a way, this will be a test for Muslims. If they engage in violence in response, they will be playing right into Trump’s narrative that Muslims are violent. It would be in their interest to respond in a calm and measured manner.
1
Everything Trump does is to reward those who supported and "love" him. Anyone who doesn't sycophantically kiss the little rings on his little hands is viewed as an enemy. He is a mentally unstable narcissist. It is no more complicated than that. Heaven help us all.
1
His latest caustic affront to our best interests should make any intellectually honest civic minded US Citizen spit him and the GOP hard and fast. THEY are our biggest danger!
Yes - I deeply admire and like Jews. Always part of my community - wonderful people. I am DEEPLY saddened by their persecution through the ages and rally against the modern prejudice they still suffer in the USA.
I get their need for a secure homeland given their persecution. I get historically why they were given that strip of land 7 decades ago - unfairly in some vital respects - but I do get it otherwise.
And I get that basically Israel is an ally. And I get that generally the West has obligations to Israel to defend its existence and the people we encouraged to live there. We and Europe are deeply responsible for good and for bad.
What I do NOT get is how our President can continually ignore the best interests of the USA in the pursuit of his own ego stroking or some other personal agenda.
This latest DJT ego move is counter productive to regional and World peace and USA security. For the USA there was NO strategic imperative for It and it should not have been done.
Any Citizen with a modicum of intelligence, geopolitical awareness, and common sense should be able to see this. So wrong on so many levels!
It AGAIN makes obvious our need to oust DJT and the GOP that gave him birth and nurture SOON!
If peace is the ultimate goal, reversing the decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel should be part of the peace talks and also possibly making Jerusalem the shared capital of the Palestinians and the Israelis. Shalom. Salaam.
1
California is burning but he does foreign policy. Great.
1
I think it would be in the best interests of the United States of America to completely wash our hands of the entire Middle-East.
If the people residing there want peace, let them figure it out themselves without involving us, except maybe as a neutral meeting ground.
If they want to kill one another off to the last man, woman and child, let them. We shouldn't intervene to stop ANYONE.
DJT is very worried about what Robert Mueller will find when he digs into the swamp of Trump financials. DJT needed a big distraction, and boy howdy does his Jerusalem announcement fit the bill. For DJT, it isn’t a giveaway; it’s a three-fer: first, he gets the big, huge distraction that he needs. Second, he delivers a shiny payback to Sheldon Adelson (lots of campaign cash there) and DJT’s die hard supporters (gotta keep them riled up, since their jobs aren’t coming back and the tax bill, if it passes, will cost them money and benefits). Third, this announcement has a high probability of causing violence; which DJT sees as a plus. Violence allows him to bluster and threaten, which he loves to do; and it will support his anti-Muslim rhetoric and actions. Your error, Mr. Friedman was in assuming DJT had anyone’s benefit at heart besides his own. He does not.
2
Time then for a one-state solution then, which gives Palestinians currently under illegal occupation the same rights and privileges as Israeli Arabs.
Well summarized - I just wanna cry...
My personal opinion of Trump is that he is a worse version of a modern day Caligula. However, even though he hasnt thought through any foreign or domestic policy there is a certain benefit to recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The time is up for the Palestinians and I think Trumps message delivered this single and important fact. Either stop the nonsense, the violence and start building a safe homeland for your people or its game over. Israel wants one thing--peace and to be left alone. The world has not been kind to Israel and has in many ways treated it as a pariah state.
After wars there are always issues---but people get them resolved. And if one party sees fit to not get down to settling the differences. then the differences are settled.
Personally I like a version of a Homestead Act. Give every Palestinian 40 acres and a mule (ok a tractor) and move them all to Jordan, Syria or Saudi Arabia. Israel deserves and has earned peace on and in within their borders. Its clear---even to a dolt like Trump that the only way to deal with the problem is on realistic terms.
The only terms the Palestinians seems to all agree on is the total destruction of Israel. Not in this time--not in any lifetime. The world must stop masking their anti semitism and starts treating Israel like a full fledged nation and allow it to protect itself from the self perpetuating problem that never wants to go away. Trump took a necessary first step.
This decision seems less about pandering to his stereotypical white Trump Rally attending base, and more about pandering to the wishes of one ultra rich mega donor.
Thomas, once again you demonstrate your bias and ignorance. Let's start with your perpetual position that Obama was the greatest. Did Obama get done your suggestion? Was your proposal known to all presidents for the last 30+ years? Yet, no peace. The Palestinians don't want peace. Fact: by removing Jerusalem as a negotiating point there is less to resolve. That makes the peace process easier. Palestinians had better work on reaching a deal before it gets worse.
Mattis in 2013 said the U.S. pays a price everyday because we were not seen as a neutral arbiter. I take that as true. Thus, make it worse. What Trump did is what prosecutors do in their negotiations every single day. They say to the other side your client take this deal or it will get worse. That technique works when the defense attorney knows that the prosecutor will follow through. That is what the President means by regaining credibility.
1
Mr. Friedman, I’ve never read such strong language from you. I must say that as a Christian, while many other Christians are celebrating this I am deeply troubled by the lack of Word knowledge as it pertains to their celebrations. It’s almost as if the Word is blind to them. If time permits Mr. Friedman, please read the entire chapter of Genesis, then forward to Matthew and John...all of the synoptic gospels will do, but I love how they are captured. Read all of Romans and then all of Revelations. After reading them, please let me know your thoughts and write another column minus the name calling please. Yes it is frustrating Mr. Friedman and an extremely misguided move as the Lord is not the author of confusion, but try using Trump in your writing without a negative adjective to describe him. :-)
Romans 10:1-3 KJV
“Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
Here comes another intifada. The blood will be on Trump's hands, the Evangelicals and the misguided zionists that support him. Feeding red meat to Trump's base is all that matters to him. He has no clue how to do anyhting that takes intelligent thought and patience because he has none. Trump may be clueless in all matters outside of himself, but he knows what stirs his base. Just hope the terrorists aren't going to increase attacks on US citizens because of Trump.
So if the Palestinians don't get what they want you are saying they and their fellow Muslims will riot and kill? But obviously if the Jews don't get what they want you have no concerns. Therefore we are to reward the bully as we are fearful of their bad behavior?
3
When Trump started slamming TPP during the campaign, he actually thought China was part of it. That depth of ignorance is impressive.
It is wrong to conflate the TPP move — which was patently stupid — with the just recognition of Israel’s obvious and morally correct capital city. Whatever Trump’s intent, the time is ripe for pressing the Arabs to recognize reality and common sense. The Saudis are doubtless in on this as they move on with their modernization and attempt to lead the Arab world into the new century.
1
Mr. Friedman's article begs many questions: First, the United States does not determine the capital of any other country, so why Israel? Second, 22 years ago the United States determined that we would recognize Jerusalem as the capital, why haven't you questioned those presidents for not upholding the law. Third, why is it Israel's responsibility to bridge the peace gap while Palestine and Hamas continue to provoke hostilities through the use of terrorism.
Mr. Friedman, you hostility toward Israel is evident and your prejudice shows.
1
Conflating TPP with Jersusalem is an exercise in gross oversimplification. Palestinian Authority policy is still to pay stipends to those who kill Jewish Israelis, and still to teach the most virulent anti-Semitism in their schools from the day a five-year-old begins Kindergarten. Add to it the notion of an unlimited right of return and you have a policy that is as heinous as it is delusional. Perhaps this cold shower of reality will move a needle that has stymied every American president from 1967 on.
1
I am not a Trump supporter, but editorials like this ignore some very basic truths. First, the old strategies for peace in the Middle East have not worked. Second, the author disparages President Trump in a personal matter, only inflaming the ire of his base and those that agree with the current and new status of Jerusalem as capital of the Jewish state.
Doing the same thing over and over and hoping for a different result is not a sane policy. Further, the predictability of the editorial positions plays to the reader base as much as Trump does to his base.
78
Amen. Friedman wants another 70 years of preliminary bargaining over basics, because he is stuck in that mindset. Unless expectations change in the region, on both sides, no amount of pretend haggling for the sake of showing "willingness to talk" will ever move the ball. The world is tired of this dispute, which has solutions which have been obvious for many years. Continuing on this course is, as you say, the definition of insanity. Trump is doing this for the wrong reason, but that is besides the point.
2
I get it Mark, you object to objective analysis. And your assertions and mere conclusions are not supportable with material facts. Is it disparaging to note that Trump is the collaborator in chief, supported by pathological lies, flowing from his 3 severe personality disorders at the upper lever of 3 spectrums that apply to Trump in the DSM5 - narcissism, paranoia and sociopathy?
1
@Mark & Isadore: Do the numbers. There are over 400 million Arabs in the Middle East, and just over six million Jews in Israel. Most of the time, Israeli Jews live normal lives. Stop "doing the same thing over and over," and that can change. Remember the other six million.
Not only has this obliterated any vestige that the US is (so-called) 'impartial' in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but it has now provided the Iranians and the Turks (not the Arabs) the opportunity to be the champions of Arab/Muslim nationalism (despite their respective Sunni-Shia ideology), while Saudi Arabia and Egypt (our traditional allies) are complicit. Well done, Mr Trump....the Iranian Ayatollahs are rubbing their hands in glee.
Trump is like a spoiled 5 year old, stamping his feet and doing outrageous things to get attention. He is totally ignorant about foreign affairs, and like other megalamaniacs, has no clue, nor any interest in his lack of knowldege about almost every subject.
It's frightening when an astute observer of the body politic like Mr. Ffiedman says he has never seen a president give up so much to so many for so little. This column should be must reading in every high school in the country, and the message broadcast by every means possible.
There's a method in this madness. Take a cul-de-sac situation and destabilize it. Wait for chaos to set in. Then come in the now fluid frame with some kind of way out. The Art of Negotiation combined with an unhealthy dose of brinkmanship. Let's wait and see if it works.
It's easy to give away things so long as you are not risking your children lives in the process. We have gotten so many of our citizens and military killed over stupid decisions and outright lies, what does it matter? You want American warriors to die for the peace that Israel has studiously avoided for decades, then this is your best chance. djt certainly hasn't thought this out and I doubt he has the smarts to think it out, but for sure he'll be putting none of his children at risk. There is no right or wrong in the Middle East, it's just a sick, human tragedy. No surprises there.
2
When you don’t care about the deal outcome, you don’t care what you giveaway. None of this personally enriches he or his family, so it’s all a spectacle. Consummate dealmaker indeed...like everything else , it’s a fraud.
1
"In both the Middle Kingdom and in the Land of Israel, Christmas came early this year. The Chinese and the Jews are both whispering to their kids: “There really is a Santa Claus.”
Mr. Friedman, most Jews, in Israel and the Diaspora do not celebrate Christmas and don't give much thought to Santa Claus.
Some, however, do celebrate Hanukkah, festival of lights, but more so the festival of the Jewish liberation of a defiled Jerusalem and the re-dedication of a defiled Temple. Hanukkah begins next Tuesday night. Perhaps that came a little early this year.
After listening to the speech, I for one recited the Shehechiyanu blessing: “Blessed are You Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe who has given us life, sustained us, and allowed us to reach this day.” Sorry you cannot and do not want to answer Amen.
4
Well said Joshua! I didn't think of reciting a Shehechiyanu but you are right. Amen!
3
Another chapter in Mr. Friedman's book entitled, "The Incompetent American President and the People Who Knew it but Elected him Anyway"
No mystery why Trump made the decision to move the capital to Jerusalem.
The entire world is talking and writing about Trump. It is all about Trump,
the only thing that counts, in his mind. Of course, it could be years before Ithe change takes place, but so what? I came across two books in my library,
"Israel" A History. 1998", Martin Gilbert, and "From Beirut to Jerusalem,1989", Thomas L. Friedman. Nothing has changed. Israel is
still fighting to live.
The question of Jerusalem and Israel is not a matter of 'let's make a deal'.... . No more than London and the UK , Paris and the French , etc .
Jerusalem is the political siege of the Israeli Government and other State Institutions , and is the historic center of the Jewish people and their faith .
What are the exact borders of the entity called 'Jerusalem' , and what other
demographic and emotional aspects are involved with 'Jerusalem' is a matter of debate and on the record .
But it is obvious that significant parts of what is known as 'Jerusalem' are clearly Israeli and will remain Israeli under any future constellation .
So , the debate can continue , but recognising facts and reality are a very normal thing to do . Well done , President Trump ! .
Sooner or later, Trump will realize that the US has simply become 1 of 195 countries in the world. This means that 193 other countries (excluding Israel) HAVE NOT recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. So his words will simply blow with the wind.....
Friedman says:
"“But China is very smart — just keeping its mouth shut.”"
Of course they are. To quote, I believe, from Napoleon Bonaparte;
"‘Never interfere with an enemy while he’s in the process of destroying himself.’"
Yes, indeed. China, and our other geo-political enemies, may be many things but stupid is not high up on their list. I wish the same could be said for our leadership caste, starting with the POTUS on down.
So it goes.
John~
American Net'Zen
There will be blood.
And guess who both the president and the vice president will blame?
I read on the Jerusalem Post website that other countries are also considering recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capitol. Could it be the rest of the world is also wishing up and has grown weary of the Palestinian pity party. By the way there is no mention of Jerusalem in the Koran
3
Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama all promised to recognize Jerusalem as the capitol of Israel. Were they rewarded by the Palestinians when they failed to deliver on their promise? Rather than paint Trump as Santa, why not paint the previous three presidents as Ebeneezer Scrooge?
What Friedman and other anti-Israel fanatics want to see is the slow-bleeding of Israeli security. When Arafat stuck his knife in Bill Clinton's peace agreement, this became written in stone: the Palestinians and their murderous backers in the Middle East have no intention of ever negotiating a fair deal with the Israelis. When they say, "Death to Israel!," they mean it.
2
First of all - Many, and maybe most Jews, do not agree with what Israel has become. I'm a Jew that finds Netanyahu shameful and Trumo's son-in law is not one of my people. But that is not the main point I want to make.
It's not the Jews that are motivating Trump. He is being manipulated by the evangelicals - the Pence breed. The Jews for Jesus - who really aren't Jews. Their goal is to convert all people to their brand of Christianity. It's the same motivation that made them support Lieberman when he ran with Gore.
I wonder why the press has not retrieved the exposure of this evangelical drive that occurred back then or even has noticed the roster of evangelicals that support this disgusting move by Trump.
1
autocrats+ authoritarians do what they say they promise to do They please their base.
The trouble is tjhe base does not represent the majority of the country
So, vote in 2018 even if you hold your nose. Vote Vote Vote.
Let's bring sanity back to this world, where sexual predators like roy moore and sean hannity and donald rump are given no credence.
Trump, in the middle of his own financial volcano ready to blow, decides to create one more explosive policy as if he does not have enough on his plate threatening his presidency. Maybe it is why he decided to throw a nuclear bomb into the arena of Israeli, Palestinian and Middle East peace threatening to tear its fragile status asunder. He says he will declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel and ultimately (we know not when) he will move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as he campaign promised. As one says in Yiddish: now that's chuzpah (nerve)!
This latest political belch of Trump is, without a doubt, the most dangerous policy he could create besides dropping a bomb on North Korea, a distinct possibility too.
Declaring Jerusalem the capital of Israel is Bannon's influence. The goal is to create as much chaos as possible. Trump declaring Jerusalem the capital of Israel will get that accomplished. The Middle East will blow up and Jews will be killed in Israel and beyond. Innocents of every stripe will face death and that includes Palestinians as well whom we all should care about. Even if diplomacy between these warring Palestinian and Israeli tribes is difficult it is the only path outside of eternal war we have. No one, whatever one's political bent, should want eternal war!
Trump's impolitic move will put the icing on a tinderbox cake ready to explode at any moment.
It takes the sort of myopia to view the recognition of Israel's capital as Israel's capital as some sort of gift that requires a quid pro quo. The only reason the world does not move its embassies to Jerusalem is cowardice, the fear of Arab terror. Indeed all one hears from the Palestinian side is cals for "days of rage" which is the official way of urging the hoi polloi to commit random acts of terror and murder. AS for what motivates a pundit like Friedman to offer such vicious criticis, one only has to study his track record vis a vis Israel to understand where his sympathies are.
2
Let's face it. Donald Trump's decision to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem, is little more than an extension of his Muslim ban. That's the only way to look at it, since he obviously has no idea whatsoever about what this means in the politically fragile world of the Middle East.
Nor does he care.
To him, the Palestinians are just the next group to be prohibited from entering the United States -- no doubt because his boy-diplomat, Jared Kushner, told him so.
This is going to have negative repercussions all over the world.
Get ready for it.
He is not even the "president of his base" as you claim. He has already stabbed them in the back with his tax deal. His only allegiance is to himself and his own vanity. The narcissist in chief, the humorless, friendless, fool we have as president, is going down and he knows it, and he wants to take all of us down with him.
The opposite of what trump says is the truth. Take anything trump says, flip it. and see for yourself. And so it is with "MAGA". In a hundred terrible ways, trump is destroying America.
Everything about MAGA is the opposite of what trump claims it to be. actuality, trump is destroying the United States in a hundred profound ways. He isn't just taking the country in the wrong direction. He isn't just ignorant. He isn't just making bad decisions. He is deliberately destroying our country, and creating huge problems around the world. Why? Bannon? Profiteering? Insanity? Evil? Mercer-Koch-Adelson Axis of Treason? It's like watching him chop parts of a living person every day.
Israel's capital is not really ours to give, is it? The Israeli government is in Jerusalem and has been for decades. It was a delusion to pretend that it wasn't. Speaking of delusions commentators like Freidman praise the many presidential candidates who promised to recognize Jerusalem and lied, and denounce Trump for keeping the very same promise. Politicians lie all the time but it is something to see a Pulitzer winner extol the liars and castigate one who isn't. When cataloging things people give away Mr. Friedman ought to start with journalistic integrity.
1
Remember that Trump is the world's best negotiator? And that only he can do the job? And that he's really, really intelligent?
Fake President
Trump is a chump because it's all about being popular with his right-wing pseudo-christian white base and no one else. In case anyone was in any doubt, it is now official from Washington D.C. that the lives of people blessed with melatonin don't matter. It's not just black lives he ignores. It's everyone who isn't a white of European descent.
Trump seems to have plenty of white and Jewish "advisers" in his administration, but one never hears of a top level adviser of Arabic descent. How is it that he doesn't need to hear the voices of those he has declared war on? Answer--it isn't and never was about being president of and leading a great country in the world. It is and always has been a gigantic ego trip for the world's biggest ego, and that doesn't concern itself with the lives of the little folks around the country or the world. His idea of success was the size of the parades the Asian leaders threw for him. Next thing we know, we'll have our own army goose-stepping through the capitol, just like every other tin pot dictatorship. Nixon tried big furry hats on the White House security a la the British Monarchy. What other indicia of pure personal power will Trump look for? Maybe he'll try to turn Camp David into Versailles--reportedly the presidential retreat is too rustic for his gilded taste--but throw a few million tax payer dollars at it and he can gold-plate the toilets there for the royal behind.
This impostor of a president, a clown in the world stage, a dwarf in realpolitik, an incompetent in negotiation gave up everything for nothing. I totally agree with Friedman's characterization of Trump. In a successful negotiation, a mediator offers carrot and stick not just a stick. Trump succeeded in labeling the US as the stooge of Israel at the expense of the rest of the world, not just the Arab. Who will pay dearly for this? We the US taxpayer, as we've done over the past 20 odd years.
I hate to disappoint Tom Friedman but there is no peace process. It died a horrible twitching death a long time ago. To add insult to injury in Tom Friedman's fantasy Middle East Trump was to pressure Israel into making all kinds of absurd concessions before he made the announcement recognizing Jerusalem as the capitol of Israel. As usual Friedman doesn't ask the Palestinians to make any concessions in the name of peace. Maybe that's because the last thing Palestinians want is peace. Palestinians will never give up their dream of pushing the Jews into the sea.
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Let's get real...follow the money.
Trump's son-in-law has a vested interest (i.e. more than merely a 'tribal' interest) which has compelled him to whisper sweet nuthin's in his wife's father's ear:
http://www.newsweek.com/jared-kushner-disclosure-form-west-bank-settleme...
A 'family foundation' on behalf of building settlements speaks to much more than a warped sense of righteousness...Kushner & Trump are all about real estate development...this ain't about merely about charitable support and Trump's dicta ain't about merely closing the alleged historic 'gap'.
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Four excellent columns in a row.The author is on a roll.
Mr. Friedman - I guess you have never truly negotiated for anything in your life. You can't trade something you don't have. So how has the mid-east peace discussions advanced so far - using Jerusalem as a trading piece when it was clear the Israeli's never truly owned the place to trade. Now they do - so let's see if the Palestinians see a scenario where they can negotiate something in return - like peace. And BTW - how have those St Louis Park morals and ethics worked out with Al Franken. I gather from your book it was a great place to grow up - but by itself it does not produce great citizenship. That is always up to the individual. It 'doesn't take a village' it just requires a good moral personal code - one that obviously Mr. Franken does not have and did not get from St. Louis Park.
The Republican Party is stealing trillions of our tax dollars. Every one of them must be imprisoned for treason. Donald Trump is their enabler and must be divested of his forgotten gains.
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Tom, please write the book!
This should be the sequel to: Trump, Russia and the Art of Surrender.
Is anyone else besides me flipping out about how dangerous and stupid our president is? I can hardly stand to read the news anymore bc of Trump's deceitful and stupid behavior.
I really believe we are headed towards a Civil War bc of Trump. We might not have a physical battle but there is definitely an on-going battle between Trump's ignorant, arrogant base, and the rest of us sane Americans independent of our intelligence.
I keep remembering my mom telling me when I was 14 during Nixon's impeachment how "SORRY) she felt for Nixon.....and guess what our family were members of First Baptist Fundamental, Evil Church in Dallas!
Truly it will take years and years and years to repair all the damage Trump is doing to our country, and for that matter, to our world. It will also, probably take years for me to forgive stupid people, like my step-mom, for voting for Trump. I avoid talking to her anymore bc I am so angry at her for still supporting Trump.
Nonetheless, I know I eventually must forgive for my own integrity. However, there is such a thing as a "righteous anger" which Jesus demonstrated w the money changers in the temple.
When will this nightmare end? I certainly don't respect our country and probably never will again, or at least for many years to come.
This is all rather interesting. A generational transition among American Zionists is in progress. People like Mr Friedman and Dr Indyk are surprised ("Shocked!") to confront the consequences of their long-term support for Israel. It is just a shame that all of us need to bear those consequences, and not just intellectual hoodlums of their ilk.
The main reason trump* gave Jerusalem away was to set off a stink bomb that will sow discord and encourage violence. His son-in-law is wholly incompetent for the job as peacemaker and needs a face saving way to get out of town. He can now pull up stakes, blame the inevitable strife and beat feet. THIS is how our foreign policy uis being conducted. Fie!
You all have to stop seeing Trump as a politician. He is not interested in policies unless they are in his and his henchmen business interests. Making ultra wealthy Israeli happy is in Trump's and his henchmen's business interests and that's why all this is happening. Trump is here to make himself, his family and business associates more powerful and richer than they already are. This is the purpose of his "presidency". Trump is the head of the most vicious and most powerful criminal organization in the world, sanctioned and elected by powerless uneducated deplorables. Lock him up, impeach him or throw him off a roof, whatever it takes but get rid of him asap.
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It is now crystal clear that Donald Trump will do anything to appease the only people he can still con into supporting him, no matter how foolish, dangerous, or inimical to the interests of the United States and world peace those actions are.
Donald Trump's cartoonish travesty of a presidency is stomach churning. Who and what will survive it?
Mr. Trump: resign. You can still tell yourself that you're a winner if you resign now. If you wait... You don't really like the job anyway. Go back to Mar-a-lago where you're king of the hill, where people don't keep telling you to "act presidential."
Do yourself, your country, and the world a favor - resign now.
How many guesses that this had something to do with the fact that his son in law, and now daughter, are Jewish...
America Who? Weren’t you guys famous once? Oh yeah, now I remember...you were a band in the 70’s.
Astounding, once again a liberal conflates keeping your word with naive ignorance.
Friedman, Nobel prize winning economist, fails to see China's major demographic hurdle. Their one child policy combined a false and highly manipulated market is going to leave them with a broke unemployed mostly male populace within the next decade so good luck to the Asian "Tiger" on continuing to be a world economic power.
As far as giving Israel Jerusalem as their capital did that in 95 under a democratic majority.
End of reasoning! Trump does not read.
He isn't giving away all of Jerusalem. The Israelis mostly do not want all of Jerusalem, certainly not the Palestinian neighborhoods. They do seek the historically Jewish sites, like the Wall, parts of the Old City, and of course Mt. Olives with its hundreds of thousands of Jewish graves, and nearby biblical tombs. How about being fair to the Jewish victims of terror, the hundreds of grave sites vandalized, rocks thrown at visitors to the ancient cemetery, and the disgusting trampling of Jewish history by official Palestinian leaders, pretending that Jews have no history or rights to the Holy Land and the holy city. Friedman knows fully well no international contingency will guarantee equal access in that (contested) holy basin; only Israel is capable of delivering. It's time the Palestinians hear that they've been trying to steal Jewish Jerusalem and its many Jewish holy sites for the last 70 years, with international permission. By acknowledging that much of greater Jerusalem is the rightful capital of Israel may bring the Palestinian leaders to a reality check. Until now, dangling even western Jerusalem before them didn't promote honest interest in peace negotiations.
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It is only a free gift to Israel if you take Israel "for granted". Don't look at what Israel can do for Trump--start by looking at your smartphone's technology and your medicine bottles. Oh, and which Middle Eastern country takes in the Syrian wounded after thousands of years of animosity?
Trump IS a deal maker. He has made a deal with his base, with the GOP in Congress, and with the politicized evangelicals. He will give them many of the items on their respective agendas in exchange for their toleration of his craziness, his immaturity, his narcissism, his conflicts of interest, his immorality towards women and others, his impeachable usurpation of power, and even his treasonous support for Russia. This decision about Jerusalem is just part of those deals. Those domestic deals "trump" whatever deal he could have made with outside actors.
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Friedman is exactly to whom Trump referred to when he said if we keep trying old solutions we will never make progress. Friedman lived in the Middle East a long time ago. He was so spectacularly wrong about the Arab Spring that you think he would stop lecturing us. He is wrong again.
Every year or so Obama made a concession to the Palestinians in exchange for nothing. First, it was the 1967 borders. Then it was a settlement freeze. In exchange he got nothing-no peace process and only intransigence on the part of the Palestinians. So, he would vilify Natanyahu and demand more concessions.
No one claimed he was dispensing with decades of US Foreign Policy (failed policy no doubt). No one claimed the US could no longer be a mediator (if that is so the Palestinians are welcome to find another one), or there be three days of Israeli rage (an adolescent response to "life isn't fair").
Conversely, Trump acknowledged reality. If our allies disagree or the Arabs are "alienated" so be it. Foreign policy based on denying reality or appeasing the unappeasable will never work. Just see what 7 decades of State Department advice has wrought. Just read Mr. Friedman's old columns.
Time for new ideas and a new foreign policy based on reality, due process, democracy, and the guaranteed rights of religious minorities, women, and homosexuals.
Godspeed Donald.
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Well said!
I lived in Tel Aviv for a year in 1999 and my Jewish friends were expecting this announcement any day back then when Clinton was president and Barak was PM. Congress passed a law in 1995 to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The Senate voted unanimously this year to affirm this law. All Trump did was to execute the will of Congress.
Perhaps, Friedman, in his hatred for Trump, forgot these little facts.
What concessions? What world do you live in? Obama suggested certain concessions which Netanyahu was unwilling to make. So that was supposed to satilsfy the Palestinians?
BTW, I believe that China does not guarantee the "rights of religious minorities, women, and homosexuals." What should we do?
Relax folks. All will be well.
Kushener will make the Middle East deal when all others have failed bigly.
He will do that after sentencing and before going to prison.
One can only hope.
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Sorry Tom, but you are wrong. Trump did get something: $25 million from
Sheldon Adelson.
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Not other country on the planet had decided to put an embassy in the disputed city of Jerusalem. I wonder why. Could it be because none of them has a former reality game show host as its leader? Just askin'.
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Well, no James, it's because they are anti-Semitic. Just answerin', bro.
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No. It's because no other countries like Jews.
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Guess you lump the Pope in there as well. But it's not so much their anti-Semitism that's in play here, as it is many American politicians being bought and paid for by AIPAC
So much for "the art of the deal"...
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I wish the Republicans would let us know how many pathologically blundering, stupid things that Trump has to do before they are willing to take aggressive action on getting him out of office. We could then at least have some idea of when we stand in this process. The stress and anxiety of not knowing is excruciating.
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If Russia had installed a Manchurian candidate in the WH, how would that persons actions be different from Trump?
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They call him the King of the Deal for nothing.
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Ridiculous post, Susan.
The UN intended Jerusalem to be Intenational - yeah, the Israelis agreed and the Palestinians and 5 Arab nations attacked Israel in order to prevent it. So who thumbed their nose?
Guess what? They lost. And the Jordanians lost again in 67 when they attacked Israel. (and no, it wasn't the other way around).
You lose wars that you initiate, and guess what? The clock doesn't go back as if nothing happened during the intervening 70 years.
And I suggest you wait a year or two - there will be embassies to Israel in Jerusalem that don't belong the US.
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Mr. Friedman,
While the people of China are indeed referred to as Chinese, the people of Israel are referred to as ISRAELIs not Jews.
You are a Jew not an Israeli.
Comments such as yours blur the line and cause dissatisfaction with Israeli policies to become Anti-Jewish (Anti-Semitic) actions.
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SO why do American citizens send their children to enroll in the Israeli defense services? Why don’t these Americans feel loyal enough to send their American kids to enroll in American army or defense?
Tommy. Bubbie.
There ain’t no two state solution no more.
It’s over.
The so called displaced Arabs living in the West Bank can choose to be residents of Jordan or residents of Israel.
Beyond some government hand outs, they’re getting bupkis.
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Trump is indeed unique. Not only is he the Manchurian candidate of Putin, he’s the Manchurian candidate of Bibi and Shel too.
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Any people so intractable as to refuse to settle for 97% of the land that they are asking for from the victor of a war in which they were flat beaten in less than a week are going to be war as long as they exist as a people. They only rational thing for any Palestinian who wants to live at peace without the eternal victim project is to walk away from the identity of "Palestinian". Give up the tribe. Pick a new one.
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Israel use the same tactics as Russia, they use the military the create "facts on the ground", and USAs recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is just a part of illegally helping Israel to create even more "facts on the ground"!
USA can NOT recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as long as there is no agreement between Israel and Palestine about the status of Jerusalem, so President Trumps decision is ILLEGAL!
Religion, man made fantasies, is the big problem in this conflict! Islam, just as Christianity, is based on, and is a continuation to, Judaism, so Jerusalem is NOT "Jewish only", so religion can not be used as an argument for making Jerusalem the capital of Israel!
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Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Trump did something right, I think.
The "peace process" is a scam. Read the first half of "the Israeli Solution," by Caroline Glick, so see why in great detail.
Now that the "peace process" is, hopefully, dead, the true two-state solution will come about organically:
1. Gaza
2. Israel
Israel will be a democratic Jewish state, allied with progressive Arab states, with a Jewish Majority and a minority of Palestinian Arabs living as Israeli citizens. A growing number of them will become fluent in Hebrew and will benefit from Israeli education and prosperity. Some others eventually will leave, and others, as at present, will stay on stewing in their backward villages with their "days of rage" and hatred.
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"But Trump is a chump. And he is a chump because he is ignorant and thinks the world started the day he was elected, and so he is easily gamed."
- Thomas Friedman
This quotable statement will now stand in all future history discussions and books regarding this unfortunate and damaging period of time in our history.
Trump as the Fool-in-Chief and the Tool-in-Chief is no longer in doubt.
End of story.
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Write that book, Dr. Tom! Book-buyers and haunters of America's wonderful public libraries will love it. Our crude 45th President, Trump, keeps throwing raw meat (the art of the giveaway) to his base - the ignorant hoi pollol he feeds with bread and circuses and red M.A.G.A. golf caps that will die the death of a thousand cuts before we know it. It's pretty clear that Trump loves throwing burning matches into the yuge oil and gas and fossil fuel dumps of the Middle East. And burning his bridges. And trashing the Palestinians. Anyone taking wagers today (Pearl Harbor Day Redux) whether the Palestinians and their Arabic pals will be rising up in Israel like the wildfires in California?
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Why does his evangelical base want this so much? According to believers in “the end times”, the return of Jerusalem to Israel is a key component to bringing about Armageddon and the second coming of Christ. The base sees this president, and his vice president, as their ticket to bringing about the end of the world and he’s giving it to them.
"...I believe at this point in time, Israel is God's stopwatch for everything that happens to every nation, including America, from now until the Rapture of the Church and beyond," says John Hagee, of Christians United for Israel.
https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/israel/2017/december/biblical-timing-of-abs...
For people who fervently steep themselves in apocalyptic thinking, handing the keys of nuclear annihilation to a delusional narcissist is “part of God’s plan”. These people are insane and they are will take us all down with them.
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For the love of God the author's ideas are so beyond the intellectual reach of the president that I am not sure if the whole column was tongue in cheek. It's like trying to teach Latin to a goldfish.
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First, as a matter of international politics, Trump's announcement was stupid; but Trump does stupid things all the time. Stupid is as stupid does.
To the point of this article, no one has more than a slight clue as to what is needed to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian difficulties. Those Arab states that support a two state solution do so only because (a) they do not want to have to absorb the Palestinian people and (b) they just hate the Israelis as a cultural imperative. In truth, they prefer a one-state solution of Palestine only, and the Israelis should experience a modern Exodus.
If there is to be a two-state solution, Israel needs to know that it can trust the Palestinian government to abide by the agreement. To date, the Palestinian leadership has demonstrated no willingness to keep its word on anything regarding Israel's right to exist.
It is reasonable to believe that Palestinians see a two state solution as just another step toward accomplishing their long term goal of ousting the Israelis from what they believe is their land.
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Well written, the ego maniac demagogue strikes again.
It is like Trump saying he wants to improve relationships between blacks and whites in America and then give a shout out to extreme right wing racist groups.
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Honestly, let’s spare everyone’s energy; Trump is an idiot. The whole world knows it.
There’s not one bright thought in that big, empty head. Without his daddy’s money Trump would’ve been living beneath a bridge.
And to add to this disaster we have a congress and senate that have been bought and are owned by billionaire donors who don’t have a soul.
The USA as we knew it is no more. President Obama was the last president who made America great(er).
So let’s just resort to the only tools available to Republican USA in times of tragedy - thoughts and prayers - while we race at lightspeed into the abyss.
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"And he is a chump because he is ignorant and thinks the world started the day he was elected, and so he is easily gamed."
Print that on a plaque.
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A bill signing this in 1995 by Bill Clinton and ruled in a 90 senate vote; someone finally did the will of the people. Enough with the NY Times spin.
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Trump’s recognition has assured Netanyahu’s continuous reign over Israel. He’s a master-inciter who played the “Jerusalem United Forever” card before with great success (especially against S. Peres in the 1966’s elections) and he will use it again to mobilize not just his “base” (which hasn’t actually deserted him, even while being under heavy cloud of corruption investigations), but also to direct his special blend of triumphant nationalism and wailing victimhood (which Israelis are addicted to) in order to regain some lost sections of the so-called “Center”.
And it wasn’t given for free, not concerning Trump; he will do the same trick, with his own unique blend of raping the truth, comes the 2018 Congressional elections. He has gained the support of the Evangelic base and will broaden his hold over AIPC Jews. In addition, many voters who are rightly sick of seeing American presidents and secretaries of state debasing themselves in endless bickering over issues that Israel have long settled and isn’t about to go back on (it plans for “Greater Israel”), will be relieved that the tattered disguise of the “peace process” has been finally laid to rest – and so will many Palestinians and fewer Israelis.
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He could care less about the Middle East. This is a planned distraction from the Russian mess and Flynn’s treason. He is a master of coverups.
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Trump doesn't care about Flynn's treason, it is his own that has him worried.
I think you are mistaken. I think Donald Trump does see himself as President of the United States: but a 10 year old's concept of the presidency "When I'm president I'll make homework illegal! The president can do what ever he wants!". he truly is ignorant.
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Please do write that book.
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Trump. Making America a chump. After centuries of being a champ. SAD!!!
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Friedman at his best, his funniest, if only the underlying topic wasn't so sad.
Nice work.
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The timing seems more likely influenced by domestic than foreign politics. Roy Moore needs a boost, and Trump's action in declaring a move of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem plays very well with Evangelical Christians in Alabama. No particularly evident precipitating event in the Middle East can explain the timing of this decision.
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The rest of the free world should adopt policies that marginalize the U.S. efforts to destabilize political, social, and economic interests around the world as a whole at least until sanity returns to the While House. By isolating the U.S., new coalitions would render us irrelevant in most situations and minimize the harm caused by the thoughtless actions of this administration.
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