On weakness – The Economist:

‘After the massacres of October 7th 2023, Israel’s prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, promised to hunt down the leaders of Hamas “wherever they are”. Israel pursued them in Gaza, Iran, Lebanon and Syria. But Qatar, where Hamas’s grandees have long enjoyed a comfy exile, seemed off-limits. On September 9th that changed. Israeli warplanes bombed a villa there that was said to be hosting Hamas officials. Six people were killed, though it is uncertain if any Hamas leaders were among them. The strikes may have had tacit American approval. They are a grave error, making it harder to end the Gaza war, harming America’s position in the Gulf and undermining the Abraham accords, which offer the region a better future.
It is legitimate to strike terrorists who pose a threat and enjoy sanctuary in a state that is unable or unwilling to take action against them. Israel’s attacks on Hizbullah’s leaders in Lebanon are a case in point. But the Doha hit does not fall into this category. Though Hamas’s leaders abroad are probably involved in its terrorist operations, Israel has tacitly approved Qatar’s role as their host. With America’s blessing, Doha has mediated indirect talks between Israel and Hamas. The Mossad and Israel’s army opposed Tuesday’s strike.’

(…)

‘Qatar plays a double game, selling gas to the West and making investments there, while cosying up to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. That approach has backfired this year, as it has been attacked by Israel and Iran. Nonetheless Qatar hosts an American military base. If Donald Trump knew of the strike in advance, he has in effect endorsed an attack on a state under American protection. If he did not, it shows that America cannot constrain Israel. Other Gulf states may conclude that American security promises are weak.’

(…)

‘Israel has become a regional hegemon that has crushed Hamas, defeated Hizbullah and humbled Iran. Yet in Qatar it has simultaneously isolated itself further and jeopardised America’s position, with ramifications that may last well beyond Mr Trump. Hitting Hamas may serve Mr Netanyahu’s political purposes and show off Israeli might. But it has weakened Israel’s position and pushed the region closer to chaos.’

Read the article here.

The line that the region has been pushed closer to chaos is almost as old as the region itself.

Question is, will Netanyahu bomb Turkey. Hamas is in Turkey as well.

Who knows. My bet would be: no.

The weakness of the US (isolationism) has been once again exposed. Although it’s hard to distinguish between weakness and disinterest.

The chaos will continue, and Trump is still pursuing a Nobel Prize, although for the moment probably with less zeal.