ISRAEL is troubled by the perception the US is an “empire
of the past” and wants a resurgent America to lead a decisive
confrontation with Iran, a top official has said.
“America is tested” at a pivotal moment in the history of the Middle
East, said Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister, Dan Meridor, who is also the
Minister for Intelligence and Nuclear Energy.
The Arab world was watching the US closely: “They look to America. If
America does not seem to be able to contain the Iranian threat, will
they go with Iran?”
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“This is of world-order magnitude,” he told the Herald in an interview. Israel, which depends on the US as its security guarantor, itself appears to have new doubts about US judgment.
Mr Meridor said he was “surprised” at the Obama administration’s
treatment of a longstanding US ally, Egypt’s former president: “Was it
necessary to immediately empower the demonstrators against him and let
[Hosni] Mubarak go? It’s seen by all the allies of America in the Arab
world. I don’t know where the tide of history will go and I’m not sure
they know.”
“The perception, that I hope is wrong, that America is weakening is not
good, but I hope that America will find a way, and I believe they can,
to restore itself as the leading country and not allow thos… >>>
