Iran is major subject of talks between Biden and Bennett

The Biden team thought, and may still think, that it holds the upper hand over Israel, able to force Israel to acquiesce in its rapprochement with Iran to restart the nuclear agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Israel hopes that the U.S. has re-evaluated its position now that a new hardline Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, has taken the reins. If nothing else, Raisi unmasks the false moderation attributed to the last Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani. Raisi and Iran’s Supreme Leader are simpatico in their desire for a nuclear weapon.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks at a vaccination center in Taibeh, last week.Credit: Amir Levy

Afghanistan debacle upends Biden’s upcoming summit with Israel’s Bennett

THE HILL – BY ERIC R. MANDEL, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR — 08/24/21 03:00 PM EDT

What a difference a month makes. In July, Israel’s new prime minister, Naftali Bennett, met with his military, security and intelligence advisers to plan for his Aug. 26 summit with President Biden. Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid were considering a less confrontational approach than the previous Israeli administration, trying to work more closely with the United States regarding Iran’s aggression while not raising the ire of the Biden administration about Israel’s actions in the West Bank. National security advisers from both countries also met to lay the groundwork for the summit.

Now, the Biden administration is dealing with the repercussions to America’s reputation from its Afghanistan withdrawal, and allies including Israel are uncertain about trusting U.S. assurances going forward. Add to that the raging COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, where Bennett’s public perception of his handling of that domestic crisis overshadows the planned summit and could determine his political survival. The confluence of many variables makes the prospect for a successful summit that enhances the security interests of each nation much less certain than just a few weeks ago.

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https://thehill.com/opinion/international/568702-afghanistan-debacle-upends-bidens-upcoming-summit-with-israels-bennett