This is my first posting for the year 2026. The transition from 2025 passed me by with scarcely a blip last week, because when I think ‘new year’, I think Rosh Hashana, marked by prayer and introspection.
That said, I do extend to all of my readers fervent wishes that 2026 will be a year rich in blessings.
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While I am keenly aware of Trump’s action in Venezuela (which I address below), I want to first go back to last Monday, when Prime Minister Netanyahu was in Palm Beach, Florida, meeting with President Trump in his Mar-a-Lego home.
In several quarters it had been anticipated that the meeting would be tense because there were major issues on which there seemed to be serious disagreement between the two leaders. But as it turned out, at least publicly they appeared to be on board, broadly speaking, with regard to those issues.
While there was considerable enthusiasm for the good feelings generated in the course of the meeting, it is important to keep in mind that a great deal goes on beyond reach of the public eye. We are not aware of all points on which the two leaders may have disagreed, what deals involving concessions may have been struck, or where pressure was applied by Trump.
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I will say that I was surprised at the level of bonhomie exhibited publicly during Netanyahu’s visit. It was more exuberant than I had expected. I think there is genuine goodwill on the part of the two leaders, but, as has been pointed out, each garnered political gain from the praise extended by the other. This was particularly the case for Netanyahu, as Israel will be going into elections later this year.
Trump was his effusive self: “Israel, with other people, might not exist right now. He’s a wartime prime minister. He’s done a phenomenal job. He’s taken Israel through a very dangerous period of trauma.”
https://www.jns.org/trump-says-he-would-support-israeli-strike-on-iranian-missiles-nuclear-sites/
And Netanyahu had this to say:
“…we’ve never had a friend even close to President Trump in the White House, I think he’s been extraordinary in his friendship and support for Israel, in his principled positions, his willingness to cut through and to get to the essence of things. I want to say something else: I think we have a partnership second to none. It’s allowed us to do enormous things.
“He’s achieved remarkable things in the Middle East because we work together. We talk about our ideas, sometimes we have different ideas, but we work it out. Most of the time we see eye to eye. It’s been a remarkable experience, and this was a very, very productive meeting…”
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On the issue of Iran, there was a basic meeting of minds: Neither re-establishment of its ballistic missile cache or continued work on establishing nuclear capability is acceptable.
“I hear that Iran is trying to build up again and if they are we’re going to have to knock ’em down—we’ll knock the hell out of them,” Trump said.
https://www.jns.org/trump-says-he-would-support-israeli-strike-on-iranian-missiles-nuclear-sites/
The quote above suggests that the US would join with Israel in attacking Iran’s ballistic missile cache. But quotes I’ve seen elsewhere suggest it may be otherwise and that Trump may be more concerned with Iranian nuclear build-up.
That’s how this Trump comment is being interpreted: “The missiles, yes. The nuclear, fast. Okay. One will be, yes, absolutely. The other was, we’ll do it immediately.”
The fact of the matter is that Iran has been building its ballistic missile arsenal at a very rapid pace, rendering it the more immediate threat. As major equipment for nuclear development (centrifuges, etc.) was destroyed during the attack on Iran, re-establishment of that capacity is going more slowly.
Some sources indicate that Trump is prepared to support an Israeli attack, rather than join it. There are reports that Israel is attempting to convince Trump in this regard, and this surely was a major topic of conversation in Mar-a-Lego.
My gut tells me that Trump would join us, as in the previous attack. There is no clarity with regard to what would be involved if the US were to provide “support.” It might mean provision of important weaponry – perhaps even including super bunker busters (GBU-57A/B MOP) and the B2 jets required to carry them.
While there are those who estimate that Iran currently has about 2,000 heavy ballistic missiles, others indicate that Iran is restoring its capabilities at a slower pace.
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Trump continues from time to time to make allusions to a deal with Iran, which he envisions would curb its military buildup without the need for military action – a pie-in-the-sky expectation. But the likelihood that he would pursue this avenue is slight.
In this regard I share comments about the extraordinary action of US Delta Force soldiers who moved into Venezuela on Saturday and grabbed President Nicolas Maduro from his home in order to take him into custody to face narcotics and terrorism charges in the US. (Emphasis added)
“The stunning operation early Saturday marks the latest use of military force by the US president that shattered ostensible red lines and forced observers to scramble to find a new description of his foreign policy doctrine.
“…Trump is no isolationist. He is ready to use American military might in an aggressive but targeted fashion against adversaries, especially after repeated warnings…
“As a rule, a US president that is willing to back up threats with the judicious use of military force is a good thing for US allies in the region, including Israel…
“Netanyahu made his sentiments clear, congratulating Trump for his ‘bold and historic leadership on behalf of freedom and justice.’
“Iran…has reason to be nervous after the raid.
“Standing next to Netanyahu last week in Florida, Trump said unequivocally that he would back an Israeli strike on Iran if it resumes its missile and nuclear programs…
“Days later, as widening economic protests swept across parts of the Islamic Republic, Trump issued a new threat. He warned Iran that if it ‘violently kills peaceful protesters,’ the United States ‘will come to their rescue.’
“We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“With the Venezuela raid, the Islamic Republic should reasonably conclude that Trump is willing to back up his threats with action and has the ability to make it happen.
“While it isn’t entirely clear what the path is to another US bombing operation, and or even an assassination or extraction, in Iran, it certainly seems shorter after Saturday’s raid in Caracas.
“Iran has long allied with Venezuela, using Caracas to bypass sanctions, and selling oil for gold in order to fund its armed proxies. ..
“The fall of the Maduro regime, if Trump pursues such a goal, would rob the Iranian axis of its base in the Americas.
[Trump has said he will take over in Venezuela and establish a new regime there. While Rubio is saying that promotion of elections in Venezuela now is “premature” and the focus is on securing changes within the existing regime, with the vice president Delcy Rodriquez serving as interim president at the helm.]
“None of that means that Iran is about to sue for peace with the US, however.
“Leaders in Tehran are likely to see the Maduro arrest as further proof that Trump is really interested in regime change, not just stopping the nuclear and ballistic missile program, noted Raz Zimmt, who heads the Iran and the Shiite Axis research program at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv.
“’Consequently, there is little incentive to negotiate with the Trump administration,’ he said.”
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We are living in portentous times and must wait to see how events play out in several regards.
Concerning the uprising in Iran, it must be understood that it is different from previous uprisings, which expressed discontent with one regime policy or another. This one began with anger over regime failings – there are severe water shortages that might have been prevented and the value of the Iranian rial has dropped alarming, causing critical hardship.
But something more has evolved as the people are calling for an end to the regime and the return of a monarchy with rule under a shah. They are calling for the return of Reza Pahlavi (pictured), exiled son of the last shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who ruled from 1941 to 1979.
But they are not there yet, although they are close. Opinions vary as to what would be required to actually bring down the regime, such as the defection of some members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
There are also varying opinions as to how nations eager to support the Iranian people can best do so. I wrote about Trump’s comments above.
At the Cabinet meeting today, Netanyahu said (emphasis added):
“…we identify with the struggle of the Iranian people, with their aspirations for freedom, liberty and justice. It is quite possible that we are at a moment when the Iranian people are taking their fate into their own hands.”
He has been circumspect in commenting so as to avoid giving the Iranian regime an excuse to attack.
A week ago, the Mossad, employing its Twitter (X) account in Farsi sent the people of Iran an extraordinary message:
“Go out together into the streets. The time has come.
“We are with you. Not only from a distance and verbally. We are with you in the field.”
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-881733
This was an open acknowledgement that we have Mossad operatives inside Iran. We don’t know how they may be able to assist the people.
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When next I write I hope to look at what transpired with regard to Gaza during Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump.
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Please, pray for all of Am Yisrael: for the wisdom and courage of our leaders, the strength of our people, and an awakening of the Western world to the horrors of radical Islam.
©Arlene Kushner. This material is produced by independent journalist Arlene Kushner. Permission is granted for it to be reproduced only with proper attribution.
