While I personally am not a scientist, science is vitally important for convincing both rabbis and the general public that Median Jewry are full Jews indeed and in no need of giyur lechumra (strict conversion). There will undoubtedly be those who will try to insert doubt about Median Jewry and their Jewish personal status despiteContinue reading “Convincing Through Science”
Author Archives: Daniella Bartfeld
Human Rights Promotion in Saudi Arabia Doesn’t Serve American Interests
It is generally a truism that promotion of human rights serves American interests, but this is not always true everywhere. One place where this is usually not the case is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. What are the American interests in Saudi Arabia? 1) First, Riyadh controls the global price of oil and so irrespectiveContinue reading “Human Rights Promotion in Saudi Arabia Doesn’t Serve American Interests”
Building a MENA Defense Alliance Takes Years
Imagine if WWI and WWII could have been foreseen and prevented? Just imagine that for a moment! Now we have the opportunity to prevent WWIII that Russia and Iran are planning for Europe and the MENA region. By preventing WWIII we can also position ourselves to avoid a Chinese-instigated global WWIV. It is absolutely pivotalContinue reading “Building a MENA Defense Alliance Takes Years”
Israel Should Mediate Between KSA and USA
There are indications that there are negotiations between America and Saudi Arabia and so the question is what can be done to accelerate them? What are the stumbling blocks? The US government is likely making human rights related demands and MBS is probably reciprocating by lengthening his list of demands. The US government should considerContinue reading “Israel Should Mediate Between KSA and USA”
Will Putin be Unseated?
Many Western experts on Russia have suggested that President Putin will be unseated once Russia has lost the war in Ukraine. This is an interesting question because it is typically predicated on the false assumption that this is “Putin’s war” rather than “the GRU’s war”. Vladimir Putin is not a young man at age 70Continue reading “Will Putin be Unseated?”
Iran Must be Deterred and Contained
In light of the new Russo-Iranian Molotov-Ribbentrop pact whereby Russia gets Europe and Iran gets the Arab world, it is necessary for threatened nations to reevaluate their relations with Iran. Saudi-Israeli peace and normalization can happen any day of the week once Washington and Riyadh agree on the terms and then the next step isContinue reading “Iran Must be Deterred and Contained”
The US Needs a Strategy for Preventing an Iranian Land Invasion Through Iraq
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani yesterday warned against Iran using Iraq as a springboard to invade Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The Iraqi parliament last year passed a law proscribing any contacts with Israeli citizens and Israel bodies or visiting Israel and required capital punishment or life in prison for offenders. Not only isContinue reading “The US Needs a Strategy for Preventing an Iranian Land Invasion Through Iraq”
Let’s Hasten Russia’s Defeat
There is no reason to needlessly prolong this tragic war. The war in Ukraine will end with Ukraine retaking all occupied territories no matter how long it takes. The other possible outcome, namely that Russia conquers the entire Ukraine is simply no longer feasible. So why should it take a long time for Ukraine toContinue reading “Let’s Hasten Russia’s Defeat”
The Case for Pax Americana
America has been much demeaned by its detractors including American ones, but the reality is that the United States is the protector of a liberal-democratic community of nations and the global guarantor of peace and security. A so-called multipolar world would be truly dystopian as Iran, Russia and China are planning world wars with tacticalContinue reading “The Case for Pax Americana”
Victory is Practical and Feasible
One of the major objections for holding back on arming Ukraine with more advanced weaponry is that Ukraine’s war goal of liberating all occupied territories is ostensibly “unrealistic”. However, this objection is particularly ridiculous considering the proven track record of the Ukrainian military, including the ability to liberate major territories despite foreign pessimism all along.Continue reading “Victory is Practical and Feasible”
Accelerate the Process of Liberation
One of the most common themes of Russian propaganda is fearmongering with regard to so-called “escalation” despite Moscow itself doing everything possible to escalate the conflict short of using weapons of mass destruction or attacking further nations. Russian propagandists typically claim that Western deliveries of weapons to Ukraine leads to “escalation” although it is unclearContinue reading “Accelerate the Process of Liberation”
The Turkish Opposition Needs to Change its Policy on Syria
The CHP-led Turkish opposition has long promoted a policy of engagement with the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad which was eventually adopted by Erdogan himself. The opposition policy on Syria should rather be to completely withdraw from every inch of Turkish-occupied Syrian territory, end Turkish support for Jihadist organizations in Syria and create a relationshipContinue reading “The Turkish Opposition Needs to Change its Policy on Syria”
Russia and China are Frenemies of Israel
Let’s face reality, Russia has existentially hostile intentions towards Israel in its planned WWIII and China has existentially hostile intentions towards Israel in its planned WWIV. Israel’s interest is to make sure that Moscow and Beijing never turn into enemies and so the key is to prevent world war. Israel needs to balance its policyContinue reading “Russia and China are Frenemies of Israel”
What is the Kurdish Interest in WWIII?
What is the Kurdish interest in terms of the approaching WWIII? It should be noted that WWIII can still be prevented by crushing the Russian war machine in Ukraine. However, how should AANES and KRG maneuver in anticipation of WWIII? It should always be kept in mind that NES and KRI are embryonic Kurdish statesContinue reading “What is the Kurdish Interest in WWIII?”
What is the Extent of the New Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact?
“We strongly condemn any provocative efforts that have the potential to provoke an uncontrolled escalation of tensions in a region that’s far from being peaceful as it is. Such destructive actions could have unpredictable consequences for peace and stability in the Middle East. That has to be understood by the organizers of the brazen raid,Continue reading “What is the Extent of the New Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact?”
On the Danger of Nuclear War
Russian propaganda would want us to believe that Moscow will resort to nuclear weapons if Russia is defeated and expelled from Ukraine. Of course, as usual Russia disseminates disinformation. The opposite is true. If Russia is defeated in Ukraine and the Russian war machine crushed will Moscow effectively have no choice but to join theContinue reading “On the Danger of Nuclear War”
Drawing Arab Conclusions From the New Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
What conclusions should Arab governments draw from the new apparent Molotov-Ribbentrop pact between Russia and Iran whereby Moscow conquers Europe and Tehran simultaneously conquers the Arab world in a WWIII possibly half a decade from now? Tehran counts on Arab disunity and on an Arab domino effect whereby Iran can pick off one major ArabContinue reading “Drawing Arab Conclusions From the New Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact”
The US Need not Worry About Security Cooperation
After Israel’s clinical operation in Jenin with minimal collateral damage did the PA as so many times before announce that it would end security cooperation with Israel. This put the State Department in a frenzy in “working the phones”. This begs the question: Is the Department of State unaware that while security cooperation is convenientContinue reading “The US Need not Worry About Security Cooperation”
Does Derin Devlet Have a Relationship with Tevel?
The Sabbatean-controlled Derin Devlet deep state domestic intelligence apparatus is highly secretive and most likely does not maintain many diplomatic relationships with the outside world, if any indeed. The question still lingers however, does the Derin Devlet maintain a diplomatic relationship with Israel through Tevel, the Political Action and Liaison Department of the Mossad? ThisContinue reading “Does Derin Devlet Have a Relationship with Tevel?”
Counter-Terrorism is the Correct Paradigm in Samaria
Israel’s counter-terrorism operations in Samaria have been described by UN officials as a perceived need for stopping an ostensible “cycle of violence”. US officials on their side make the case for what is described as “de-escalation”. The problem rather is the existence of Palestinian terrorism which must be preempted by Israel. If there are noContinue reading “Counter-Terrorism is the Correct Paradigm in Samaria”
Israel’s Ukrainian Conundrum
What are the reasons for Israel refraining from selling lethal weapons to Ukraine despite it clearly being in the interest of Israel that Russia is defeated and thus WWIII is avoided and China is contained? Because that much is at stake in the Ukraine war. In contrast to this fear-based policy in which Israeli weaponsContinue reading “Israel’s Ukrainian Conundrum”
The Neutrality Illusion
Kuwait, Oman and Qatar maintain policies of neutrality while benefiting from covert defense cooperation with Israel. However, they should have no illusions regarding Iran’s intention to conquer them as well. In fact, it will be pivotal for those three nations to join a MENA defense alliance. Staying neutral would be delusional.
Algeria Must Prioritize its own National Interests
Algeria is currently bent on not joining the normalization bandwagon. However, the apparent existence of a Russo-Iranian new Molotov-Ribbentrop pact whereby Moscow gets the entire Europe and Tehran gets the entire Arab world should make Algiers rethink its entire approach. Iran is absolutely intent on conquering all Arab countries, including Algeria; and Israel as theContinue reading “Algeria Must Prioritize its own National Interests”
Iran is Betting on an Arab Domino Effect
Arab governments are for the most part profoundly suspicious of each other yet nowadays quite trusting of Israel in many respects. This is the crux of forming a Middle Eastern defense alliance. Arab governments don’t mind secretly aligning with Israel but balk at aligning with each other. The problem in military terms is that IranContinue reading “Iran is Betting on an Arab Domino Effect”
The Swedish Government’s Sycophancy isn’t Appreciated in Ankara
The Swedish government’s fawning for President Erdogan obviously isn’t appreciated in Ankara and the Swedes appear clueless as to why. The reality is that Turkey is part of the Middle East and in the Middle East showing weakness and obsequiousness simply is not appreciated, only strength is. If Sweden had wanted to impress Ankara theyContinue reading “The Swedish Government’s Sycophancy isn’t Appreciated in Ankara”
Aliyah Above All
Liberal democracy is not possible in a country where at best a very narrow majority wants it and where the rest vote with Islamist parties. That is the current reality in Turkey which has had free and fair elections since the 1950s, yet has never elected a pro-democratic majority. Considering that Aliyah from Turkey willContinue reading “Aliyah Above All”
Who is Best for Aliyah?
Last year in a post on this blog did I endorse Kemal Kilicdaroglu as the opposition candidate for president of Turkey in the 2023 presidential elections. Let me now provide a more nuanced position. I support the candidate that is best for Aliyah, that is my position. Before writing that blog post I was unawareContinue reading “Who is Best for Aliyah?”
Iran is Determined to Destroy America
According to Iran’s regime ideology is America, Tehran’s main enemy. The reason this is so as for all Islamist ideologists is that the American superpower is considered identical with the purported global Jewish conspiracy to destroy Islam. The Obama and Biden administrations have pursued a strategy of appeasing Iran and hoping to eventually align withContinue reading “Iran is Determined to Destroy America”
Why is Tehran Training for a US-led Naval Invasion of Iran?
Iran regards the sole threat to its territory as coming from the Persian Gulf; i.e. from a US-led naval invasion of Iran and is actively training to counter this perceived threat. However, on the face of it, this seems utterly implausible in the extreme. Why would the United States want to get entangled in yetContinue reading “Why is Tehran Training for a US-led Naval Invasion of Iran?”
Ukraine Should be Armed for Victory
When Russia invaded Ukraine eleven months ago did no one outside of Ukraine expect that the Ukrainians would be able to withstand the onslaught. However, they did and bravely so. Once the West realized that the Ukrainians were capable of defending themselves was the Western presumption that the West should help Ukraine with defensive capabilitiesContinue reading “Ukraine Should be Armed for Victory”
Russia is Facing Defeat in Ukraine
Russia’s offensive in Ukraine shows no signs of progress and now we once more hear those tired threats of nuclear war. There is also the official Russian rhetoric according to which losing the war in Ukraine would pose an existential threat against Russia. What’s behind all that? The only existential threat against Russia, indeed theContinue reading “Russia is Facing Defeat in Ukraine”
More Than Meets the Eye
Russia plans to deliver a new air force to Iran and Iran is delivering kamikaze drones to Russia. That is what is known about the extent of the military relationship between Iran and Russia which has obviously reached a strategic level. Both nations are militarily adventurous and plan big conquests which they however at thisContinue reading “More Than Meets the Eye”
Not Realizing Jewish Rights on the Temple Mount Poisons Arab-Israeli Relations
Successive Israeli governments have since 1967 presumed that it is not in Israel’s interest to restore Jewish rights on the Temple Mount. The issue has consistently been regarded as one of religion, nostalgia, sentimentalism and even messianism. The view consistently taken has been that the Israeli national interest requires maintaining the status quo. However, theContinue reading “Not Realizing Jewish Rights on the Temple Mount Poisons Arab-Israeli Relations”
The Battle Lines Have Been Drawn
It has become clear that behind the mutual arming between Iran and Russia is a new Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. Russia gets the entire Europe and Iran gets the entire Arab world, including Israel. Putin’s decision of course is not motivated by hostility against Israel, it is simply realpolitik. It makes sense to tie up American forcesContinue reading “The Battle Lines Have Been Drawn”
Israel Could Groom Middle Eastern Tigers
Japan played a vital role in spreading economic development to Asia. Economic development spread from Japan to the so-called Asian Tigers (South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore) and later to the rest of Asia. The Israeli economy is so dynamic that we could see a comparable although not identical pattern of dynamically spreading economicContinue reading “Israel Could Groom Middle Eastern Tigers”
Israel Should Incorporate Parts of Judea and Samaria
The new Israeli government is committed – under the right conditions – to incorporate parts of Judea and Samaria into Israel proper. This most likely means that the Netanyahu government will wait and see if a Republican president is elected in the United States in November 2024 before deciding on applying Israeli sovereignty to partsContinue reading “Israel Should Incorporate Parts of Judea and Samaria”
Understanding the Palestinians
What is the story of the Palestinians? At the end of the 19th century the Holy Land was thinly populated with a population of no more than 600 000. The Palestinian nationalist movement together with their Arab allies in the region effectively forced the British to all but shut the gates to Jewish immigration toContinue reading “Understanding the Palestinians”
Ben-Gvir’s Visit from an Arab Perspective
Why the diplomatic uproar about Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit to the Temple Mount? From the Arab perspective, Ben-Gvir’s visit is just the first step towards building the Third Temple and so the Arab nations are desperately trying to stop his visits. However, they do believe that the building of the Third TempleContinue reading “Ben-Gvir’s Visit from an Arab Perspective”
There is no Danger of Religious War
The notion that events on the Temple Mount, specifically, unexpected body movements by Jews there and more broadly hypothetical Israeli reassertion of Jewish rights on the Mount would trigger a religious war is completely baseless. This old scarecrow is complete and utter nonsense. Could anyone please describe a real and detailed realistic scenario? No oneContinue reading “There is no Danger of Religious War”
No More Racism Please
Are Muslims really wild animals who go on killing sprees murdering “infidels” for no reason at all? That seems to be the view of the so-called “international community” which believes that the apocalypse will commence if an Israeli cabinet minister visits the Temple Mount, the holiest place in Judaism. They should be reminded that theContinue reading “No More Racism Please”
It’s About the Jews Stupid!
Turkey occupies parts of northern Syria including what was the predominantly Kurdish Afrin (Kurdish: Efrin) region. The Kurdish population was largely expelled and much of their olive trees have been cut down. Turkey as the aggressor and occupying power operates a settlement program funded by Gulf states to Arabize the region and settle it withContinue reading “It’s About the Jews Stupid!”
What is a Genocidal Nation?
Germany during the Nazi period was once a genocidal nation and what is known as the Palestinian people (which is a historically recent colonial construction) have developed into something far worse. I am not arguing that the Palestinians are committing a Second Holocaust but rather that they intensely desire and intend to perpetrate one. NeverContinue reading “What is a Genocidal Nation?”
How to Respond to the International Hysteria
What is the proper way to respond to the international hysteria following upon National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s peaceful visit to the Temple Mount? Minister Ben-Gvir would be particularly well-advised to visit the Mount with increased frequency until the international community internalizes that nothing and nobody will prevent Jews from ascending to the holiest siteContinue reading “How to Respond to the International Hysteria”
Not for Sentimental or Religious Reasons
Israeli state strategists have treated the issue of the Temple Mount as a mere sentimental and religious one. This has also been the line promoted by national-religious advocates of reappropriation of Jewish heritage and Jewish rights on the Mount. For Palestinian strategists in contrast is this a matter of immense strategic importance. For Palestinian strategistsContinue reading “Not for Sentimental or Religious Reasons”
What is the Most Shocking?
Israeli state strategists are no doubt mostly male, Ashkenazi and secular. For them the Temple Mount is mere real estate like any other real estate in Jerusalem. They have overlooked the strategic-symbolic value of a permanent Jewish presence on the Temple Mount in terms of persuading the Islamic world that Israel is here to stay.Continue reading “What is the Most Shocking?”
It’s Deterrence Stupid!
No Israeli government ever had any intention to change the status quo on the Temple Mount. But since no one but Israel cares about the status quo and everyone else is promoting exclusivist Muslim rights is there no reason why Israel should care about the status quo either. What is the incitement about “al-Aqsa isContinue reading “It’s Deterrence Stupid!”
Honor is About Self-Respect
Honor is extremely important in the cultures of the broader Middle East. What is honor? It is about self-respect and so genuine peacemaking in the region therefore takes place between mutually honorable parties. The honorable is strong and self-respecting. This is the basis of the Abraham Accords. This was never the case with the coldContinue reading “Honor is About Self-Respect”
Listen to the Hypocrites
Israel is frequently admonished by Arab governments to maintain the historical status quo at the Temple Mount which for centuries has included visits by non-Muslims, including Jews. Yet now visits by Jews are completely falsely described as “desecration”, “provocation”, “Jewish filthy feet” and “storming of the al-Aqsa mosque”. Which way do they want it? DoContinue reading “Listen to the Hypocrites”
Defending the Status Quo
There is no reason whatsoever why new Israeli police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir should not visit the Temple Mount. Will such a visit cause bloodshed? Palestinian terrorists do not need an excuse to cause bloodshed and so no peaceful act of visiting the most sacred site in Judaism can be the cause of bloodshed. It isContinue reading “Defending the Status Quo”
A Nucleus of a Middle Eastern Defense Alliance
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has made three demands from the US for making peace with Israel. Those are 1) a KSA-USA defense treaty, 2) NATO-level deliveries of weaponry and 3) what appears to be a demand to purchase the new small highly cost-effective nuclear power plants that are currently being developed inContinue reading “A Nucleus of a Middle Eastern Defense Alliance”
Aliyah Organization 