US Weakness Pushing Israel Toward Unilateral Strike on Iran -- Walter Russell Mead & Staff, The American Interest

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon has made a 180-degree turn on his Iran policy. Ya’alon, who has previously opposed unilateral military action against Iran, is now warming up to the idea. Haaretz has the story:

“We had thought the ones who should lead the campaign against Iran is the United States,” said Ya’alon, speaking during an event at Tel Aviv University. “But at some stage the United States entered into negotiations with them, and unhappily, when it comes to negotiating at a Persian bazaar, the Iranians were better.” [...]

Ya’alon’s criticism of Obama’s foreign policy didn’t stop with Iran. The minister repeated a number of times during his address that Washington has been showing weakness everywhere in the world. “The moderate Sunni camp in [the Middle East] expected the United States to support it, and to be firm, like Russia’s support for the Shi’ite axis,” Ya’alon said. “I heard voices of disappointment in the region. I was in Singapore and heard disappointment about China getting stronger and the U.S. getting weaker. Look what’s happening in Ukraine, where the United States is demonstrating weakness, unfortunately.”

This is big news. Israel is one of America’s staunchest allies in the region, and it is losing faith in America’s ability to keep it secure.

Other regional U.S. allies are already making contingency plans. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, worried about the U.S. withdrawal from the region, have forged closer ties than ever before. Turkey is less willing to work with the U.S. and has even made moves to improve ties with Iran.

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