Mansour Abbas, the chairman of Ra’am (United Arab List), an Israeli Islamist political party representing the southern wing of the Israeli branch of the Muslim Brotherhood has so far been very successful in charming Jewish Israel. The Quran requires that Muslims tell sweet words to Jews and Christians and Member of Knesset Mansour Abbas surelyContinue reading “Inside the Mind of Mansour Abbas”
Author Archives: Daniella Bartfeld
Israel Should Close Off Temple Mount for Ramadan
In recent days have Palestinian rioters on top of the Temple Mount in central Jerusalem repeatedly attacked Jews below at the Western Wall by throwing down rocks against them. Israeli riot police had to calm down the situation, arrest the rioters and remove the rocks piled up on the mount. Action included use of riotContinue reading “Israel Should Close Off Temple Mount for Ramadan”
Russia Will not Use WMD in Ukraine
There have been warnings that Russia could use weapons of mass destruction in Ukraine. However, a simple cost-benefit analysis reveals that Russia has nothing to gain from using WMD in Ukraine. There would be no “Japanese effect” as the Ukrainians would not capitulate, rather would this if anything have the opposite effect in further galvanizingContinue reading “Russia Will not Use WMD in Ukraine”
How Should Median Judaism be Announced?
I discovered core Median Jewry c. 2002 and began publishing the evidence in 2014. I have made no effort to go public with my findings other than writing online and few others than governments and intelligence agencies are aware of my writings, especially since I have few readers among the general public in Israel. TheContinue reading “How Should Median Judaism be Announced?”
Washington Needs to Mend Ties with Riyadh
In his last and successful presidential campaign candidate Biden promised to treat Saudi Arabia like a “pariah”. It is unclear whether there was a geopolitical calculus of unrealistically realigning with Iran or if there was simply no geopolitical calculus at all behind the “pariah” statement. The latter seems likely since Saudi Arabia has certainly notContinue reading “Washington Needs to Mend Ties with Riyadh”
Why the Russians are Lying on Ukraine
Moscow is infamous for its worldwide disinformation campaigns. Not only was it Czarist Russian intelligence which devised the infamous forgery of “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion” and Soviet intelligence (or even Josef Stalin himself) which coined the neologism “dezinformatsiya”. The KGB through Operation SIG is also also the origin of most contemporary Anti-Semitism,Continue reading “Why the Russians are Lying on Ukraine”
Dialectics of Democratic Decline
Liberal democracy in Western Europe is threatened from two different directions. On the one hand by the Islamizers, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis and on the other hand by the Anti-Muslim political parties that are prominent throughout Western Europe. There is a certain dialectics between the two however. The Anti-Muslim political parties generateContinue reading “Dialectics of Democratic Decline”
It’s Anti-Semitism Stupid!
What is the problem with Iran? Is it Islam? No, there are dozens of sovereign Muslim nations that are responsible members of the international community. Is it totalitarianism? Well, totalitarianism does not in of itself necessarily make a country externally aggressive. Is it imperialism? No, imperialism is seldom as malign as the Iranian version. TheContinue reading “It’s Anti-Semitism Stupid!”
Biden Should put his Money Where his Mouth Is
US president Joe Biden has accused Russia of committing genocide in Ukraine with the caveat that legal experts will have to ultimately determine whether the situation actually legally constitutes genocide. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Biden’s statement but pointed out that Ukraine urgently needs delivery of heavy weapons. One may surely wonder why NATO nationsContinue reading “Biden Should put his Money Where his Mouth Is”
How the West Misunderstands Russia and Iran
Western specialists tend to underemphasize the importance of state ideology in the foreign policy of Iran. In contrast, Western specialists tend to overemphasize the importance of state ideology in the foreign policy of Russia. There is the tendency to label the Russian leadership as irrational and dangerous while the Iranian leadership is not similarly labeledContinue reading “How the West Misunderstands Russia and Iran”
The Price of Aggression
Let there be no doubt that if Hezbollah and the rest of the Iranian axis launch a frontal assault on Israel in response to Israel and America destroying the Iranian nuclear weapons program there will surely be a hefty price to pay. There will be consequences, there will be a major war in the northernContinue reading “The Price of Aggression”
Khomeinism and Iranian Foreign Policy
Ayatollah Khomeini introduced a governing principle according to which Iranian national interests take precedence over sharia. This may seem surprising for an Islamist theocratic regime but can be observed in Iranian foreign policy for various parts of the world. Iran is completely silent on China’s Han colonization of Xinjiang and totalitarian policies of coerced assimilationContinue reading “Khomeinism and Iranian Foreign Policy”
Western Foot-Dragging on Ukraine is Unforgivable
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022 and the West has procrastinated until now in providing Ukraine with a wider range of weaponry, aside from anti-aircraft missiles and anti-tank missiles. There is constantly the Western idea of only providing Ukraine with defensive weapons and only now at the last minute when Ukraine is threatened withContinue reading “Western Foot-Dragging on Ukraine is Unforgivable”
There is no Alternative to Total Victory
Although there are ongoing so-called “negotiations” between Ukraine and Russia while Russia is pulverizing Ukrainian cities, it is clear that there is no alternative to the total liberation of Ukraine. Furthermore, there is in practice no alternative to full Ukrainian membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union. The ephemeral talk ofContinue reading “There is no Alternative to Total Victory”
Collective Conversions are Necessary
Israel’s diverse government has lost its majority in the Knesset with the defection of coalition whip Idit Silman, apparently over the issue of conversion reform. There can be little doubt that Member of Knesset Silman found herself under heavy rabbinical pressure and that she ultimately relented. There is also the issue that mainstream Modern OrthodoxyContinue reading “Collective Conversions are Necessary”
Building the Regional Security Architecture Cannot Wait
The triangular relationship between the State of Israel, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America is essential for the emerging regional security architecture in the Middle East and Islamdom at large. Much is at stake, will Iran come to dominate the Middle East and Islamdom or will it not? All thisContinue reading “Building the Regional Security Architecture Cannot Wait”
The US Needs to Provide Incentives to Saudi Arabia
In 2021 Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman al-Saud made a generous offer to US National Security Advisory Jake Sullivan. MBS offered to normalize relations with Israel in return for a list of demands for so-called “incentives” (i.e. security guarantees and weapons sales). The Americans not only inexplicably turned down the generous offer but apparently rudelyContinue reading “The US Needs to Provide Incentives to Saudi Arabia”
Europe: Tolerance Ends Where Islamization Begins
Western Europe is to Americans a progressive utopia, it has advanced welfare states, LGBT protections and advanced gender equality. Yet Western Europe suffers from crime-ridden Muslim urban enclaves infested with Islamization and honor culture where European tolerance ends. Jews and LGBTI people cannot live there and Islamization and honor culture is enforced on women andContinue reading “Europe: Tolerance Ends Where Islamization Begins”
Saudi Arabia is Indispensable to the New Regional Security Architecture
Iran is engaged in a concerted military expansion of its military assets in the Middle East, including missiles and drones. The State of Israel and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are the two most important pillars in the emerging new regional security architecture in the Middle East in particular and in Islamdom at large. Yet,Continue reading “Saudi Arabia is Indispensable to the New Regional Security Architecture”
The Foot-Dragging Must End
Unfortunately, the West does not want Ukraine to fully defeat Russia. Before the invasion was the universal assumption in the West that Ukraine was doomed and would only be able to survive through guerilla warfare. The heroic ZSU (Armed Forces of Ukraine) stunned an entire world in being able to hold back against the RussianContinue reading “The Foot-Dragging Must End”
Who is Right on Iran?
What are Iran’s intentions in Vienna? Non-Iranian intelligence agencies do not appear to know. Many weeks ago there was a flood of Israeli predictions of an imminent deal in Vienna but those fears have certainly not materialized and now even the Americans appear skeptical at the feasibility of a return to the JCPOA. I haveContinue reading “Who is Right on Iran?”
Why Russia does not Want to Change Course
Two decades ago, Vladimir Putin asked the West to allow Russia to become a member of NATO. This informal request was promptly rebuffed. What view does Russia take of the option of a US-led Asian defense alliance encircling China? For Russia this is primarily a question of lack of trust or to put it differently,Continue reading “Why Russia does not Want to Change Course”
How Important is Russian Imperialism?
Russia remains stuck in the Ukrainian quagmire and now the Ukrainians are going on the offensive to retake Russian-occupied territories. Moscow however remains defiant in refusing to acknowledge defeat. It is abundantly clear that Russia’s astounding military failure is as much because of the incompetence, corruption and low morale of the Russian occupation forces asContinue reading “How Important is Russian Imperialism?”
The West Should Hasten Ukraine’s Victory
The ZSU (Armed Forces of Ukraine) have exposed the Russian military as incompetent, corrupt and unmotivated. It is important to further demoralize the Russian side by hastening its defeat in Ukraine. While it is true that Russia has incrementally made tactical territorial gains, primarily in southern Ukraine, the ZSU has been winning strategically all alongContinue reading “The West Should Hasten Ukraine’s Victory”
China’s Planned Conquests
China is not only expansionist in an economic sense. Densely populated China is bordered by thinly populated vast territories rich in natural resources to its west and north which are completely irresistible to Han China. China is a highly sophisticated state which has learned the lesson of historical empires and Beijing knows the dangers ofContinue reading “China’s Planned Conquests”
The Absence of US-Russian Diplomacy is Extremely Dangerous
The absence of diplomatic dialogue between the United States of America and the Russian Federation at a time when Europe is seriously threatened by WWIII and Russia plans to use tactical nuclear weapons to kick out the Americans from Europe in order to conquer Europe is profoundly dangerous. For President Biden to ratchet up theContinue reading “The Absence of US-Russian Diplomacy is Extremely Dangerous”
Ukraine’s Offensive Capabilities Need be Strengthened
Russia’s plan to quickly overrun Ukraine was thwarted by the heroic ZSU (Armed Forces of Ukraine). Yet Russia has still been making incremental territorial gains and that is certainly deeply worrying. The arms provided by NATO nations to Ukraine have been defensive in nature in allowing the Ukrainians to destroy attacking Russian tanks and attackingContinue reading “Ukraine’s Offensive Capabilities Need be Strengthened”
Is Russia Acting Rationally or Irrationally?
The prevailing consensus among Russia experts and apparently among scientists in the Western intelligence community is that President Vladimir Putin has become irrational. There are various explanations that are put forward such as autism, megalomania, personality disorders (psychopathy or narcissism), two years of Covid isolation and the alleged and/or actual influence of various historical andContinue reading “Is Russia Acting Rationally or Irrationally?”
MBS is Awaiting the Return of Trump
American-Saudi relations are in a state of deep freeze. Riyadh refuses to heed Washington’s appeals for increased oil production and MBS refuses to speak with Biden after the president recently ended his yearlong boycott against the crown prince. MBS has apparently concluded that Biden is an enemy of Saudi Arabia in all but name andContinue reading “MBS is Awaiting the Return of Trump”
First Things First
American diplomacy and American leadership is imperative in ending the war in Ukraine which undoubtedly is intended by Russia to constitute the very beginning of WWIII. Relations between Moscow and Washington are at their lowest point in decades but it is nevertheless essential for the United States to reach out diplomatically to the Russian Federation.Continue reading “First Things First”
Despite Bravado Iran Fears Israel
In February 2022 Israel deployed six Israeli drones to successfully destroy hundreds of Iranian drones. It was not until now that Iran retaliated, by striking a Mossad training facility in Erbil, the capital of the KRI (Kurdistan Region of Iraq) with missiles launched from Iranian territory. This obviously represents a drastic escalation but it isContinue reading “Despite Bravado Iran Fears Israel”
A Unique Diplomatic Opportunity for Peace
Beijing’s nightmare is an Asian defense alliance encircling China from all directions and since China is surrounded by rivals, does Beijing make sure to keep close to Russia. Both Beijing and Moscow are keenly aware that a major confrontation between China and Russia over the ownership of Siberia looms on the horizon. Yet, both nationsContinue reading “A Unique Diplomatic Opportunity for Peace”
Israel Does its Part by Receiving Jewish Refugees from Ukraine
There is no need for Israel to receive refugees from Ukraine not eligible under Israel’s Law of Return. The European Union has completely opened its door to the influx of refugees from Ukraine with no questions asked. Israel is doing its part in providing a refuge to fleeing Ukrainians by accepting those eligible under theContinue reading “Israel Does its Part by Receiving Jewish Refugees from Ukraine”
Zelensky’s Israel Campaign
Ukraine has waged a well-oiled international campaign to gain international support against the illegal Russian invasion. However, the Zelensky administration has specifically targeted Israel, in many times complaining about Israel maintaining its good relations with Russia. Why is the Zelensky administration putting so much effort into courting Israel which is merely a small country inContinue reading “Zelensky’s Israel Campaign”
Will the Russians Sober Up?
The emerging reality in Ukraine is becoming increasingly clear. Russia is winning tactically in some locations in Ukraine but is overall suffering strategic defeat. The Ukrainian military is not only highly motivated but has turned out extremely competent and skilled. The Russian conscripts in contrast lack motivation for a war that they neither support norContinue reading “Will the Russians Sober Up?”
The US Cannot Guarantee that an Anti-Semite Won’t be Elected President
The US is pressuring Israel to join the ill-advised sanctions regime against Russia which does not help Ukraine one iota and makes a diplomatic resolution more difficult. Israel is not a banana republic and has its own independent national interests. If this was an interest of secondary or tertiary importance then Israel would surely relentContinue reading “The US Cannot Guarantee that an Anti-Semite Won’t be Elected President”
Why was the Palestinian Authority Established?
Neither Israel nor the PLO signed the Oslo Accords in good faith. The PLO was founded to destroy Israel and has never abandoned its Anti-Zionist zeal to destroy the Jewish state. Israel of course was keenly aware of this fact but sought to unburden itself of military administration of millions of Palestinians. Palestinian autonomy wasContinue reading “Why was the Palestinian Authority Established?”
Sanctions Against Russia are Counterproductive
The recently imposed sanctions regime against Russia is much ill-advised since it stands no chance of influencing the course of war and will only much complicate diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. Two decades ago, Vladimir Putin approached the West and asked for Russia to join NATO. This was rebuffed for obvious reasons since NATOContinue reading “Sanctions Against Russia are Counterproductive”
What do the Palestinians Want?
Palestinians of course are diverse and not all Palestinians are the same but we should nevertheless ask ourselves what the Palestinians want based on analyzing Palestinian media, Palestinian education, Palestinian politics, Palestinian opinion polls and Palestinian historiography. Do the Palestinians want a Palestinian state alongside Israel? The Palestinian movement has rejected many diplomatic offers forContinue reading “What do the Palestinians Want?”
Open Letter to President Vladimir Putin
Dear President Putin, The military goals that you set out Mr. President, for your campaign, have not been met. The reality is that your forces have been defeated by the Ukrainians and the Russian military has suffered heavy losses. Russian conscripts lack motivation for this war and your military machine is ineffective. This is theContinue reading “Open Letter to President Vladimir Putin”
Israel Too Wants to Survive
Last year an Anti-Semite was elected president of Chile. The same thing could happen in the United States. Gone are the days when it was assured that it would always be a moderate who would be elected president of the United States. Support for Israel is declining dangerously among young Americans, including among young RepublicansContinue reading “Israel Too Wants to Survive”
MiGs Should be Delivered Discreetly
The question of how to deliver NATO MiGs to Ukraine has been dealt with insensitively. Like over weapons deliveries, the MiGs should be provided discreetly such as being dismantled into pieces and delivered by truck to Ukraine. There is no reason why this should be done with official fanfare. The Ukrainians are not served byContinue reading “MiGs Should be Delivered Discreetly”
It’s not About Ukraine – It’s About Europe
Russian propaganda has been successful in spreading the misconception that the current conflict is about Ukraine. Baltic governments have been consistently warning that the invasion of Ukraine is merely the opening salvo of WWIII. This is a classical war of imperial conquest. Russian propaganda claims that Europe is interested in conquering Russian wealth but thisContinue reading “It’s not About Ukraine – It’s About Europe”
What is the US Stratagem on Islamdom?
The Biden administration is convinced that it will succeed in concluding a nuclear agreement with Iran (I am skeptical, I don’t think the Iranians are interested other than playing for time) but what are the plans of the Biden administration for the period after a conclusion of an agreement? America’s allies in Islamdom worry thatContinue reading “What is the US Stratagem on Islamdom?”
Inside the Mind of Vladimir Putin
There has been a wide range of attempts to pathologize Russian president Vladimir Putin to explain the Ukraine war. It is surprising that otherwise rational and highly educated observers assume that the Russian system suddenly operates without an elaborate strategy. Putin’s Russia has always been similar in its geostrategic behavior to the former Soviet Union,Continue reading “Inside the Mind of Vladimir Putin”
Normalization in Limbo
In the waning days of the Trump presidency was the world presented with a long list of Muslim countries waiting to normalize relations with Israel. However, once Trump had exited the White House, the process came to an abrupt end and no more Muslim countries have so far normalized relations with Israel during the BidenContinue reading “Normalization in Limbo”
Is MBS the Ataturk of Arabia?
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman al-Saud (MBS) did not initiate the process of liberalization and secularization in Saudi Arabia but he has certainly spearheaded it. MBS has proceeded methodically in promoting a feminist agenda of enfranchising women in Saudi Arabia. He has been much maligned and has been accused of being a psychopath and abusingContinue reading “Is MBS the Ataturk of Arabia?”
The Russian Military Incompetence
All militaries are incompetent to varying degrees due to regular militaries being huge apparatuses based on planned centralized command economy. This of course is breeding ground for incompetence and bureaucratic failure. Asymmetric warfare is precisely so effective because it is non-bureaucratic with a decentralized command structure. The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is unique in theContinue reading “The Russian Military Incompetence”
The Mossad Should Breed Genius
Jewish geniuses are not visible in Israeli society beyond the ultra-Orthodox sector for the simple reason that they are nearly all concentrated in the intelligence sector, probably mostly in the Mossad (international intelligence) and to a lesser extent in the Aman (military intelligence) and the Shin Bet (internal security). The contributions of Jewish geniuses toContinue reading “The Mossad Should Breed Genius”
Ukraine’s Israel Moment
In 1948 the world assumed that the Jews were finished and faced imminent defeat and almost no one wanted to supply Israel with weapons. Similarly in 1967, Israel’s great power ally France assumed that Israel faced defeat and ended all weapons deliveries to Israel. However, Israel gained international respect when it proved that it couldContinue reading “Ukraine’s Israel Moment”
Aliyah Organization 