Trump’s right — violence, turmoil bigger under Biden
Former President Donald Trump’s statement that the attack on Israel by Iran “would not have happened if we were in office,” has drawn derision, including from his former National Security Adviser John Bolton.
Bolton called the remark “delusional,” saying
Trump “has no idea what to do in the Middle East in this situation.”
If Trump is delusional, Bolton has amnesia regarding what happened on his watch and after.
In less than four years under Biden, we have witnessed the disastrous pull out from Afghanistan and subsequently the Russian attack on Ukraine, the Hamas attack on Israel, and now the unprecedented massive attack by Iran on Israel.
During the four Trump years, there were, for practical purposes, no violent, aggressive international incidents.
This cannot be attributed to Trump not doing anything provocative.
In May of 2018, shortly after Bolton became national security adviser, Trump took the historic initiative of moving the American embassy in
Israel to Jerusalem.
Reports were that the move would provoke significant unrest among Palestinians -- possibly a new intifada.
I had the privilege of attending the dedication of the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem and can confirm it occurred in quiet and serenity. No unrest, no uprising, no intifada.
In another major step that same month, the Trump administration announced withdrawal from the nuclear deal made with Iran by President Barack Obama and five other nations.
Thus, sanctions on Iranian oil sales were reinstated. Thanks to Trump, multiple billions in cash flow to Iran, funds they use to fund and advance terror, were cut off.
In August of 2018, the Trump administration announced cut off of $200 million in aid to the Palestinians, citing as one reason activities of the terrorist group Hamas.
In September 2018, Trump ordered the closing of the office in Washington, D.C., of the PLO -the Palestinian Liberation Organization.
And then, in January 2020, Trump directed the assassination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, deemed responsible for attacks resulting in the death of an American contractor.
In September 2020, Trump presided over the signing of the historic Abraham Accords, which I had the privilege to attend, achieving peace between Israel and three Arab nations — United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco. Reports are that cooperation with these Arab states provided vital intelligence that helped deter the massive Iranian attack on Israel.
In less than four years, Trump changed the face of the Middle East -- the most challenging diplomatic terrain in the world — for the better.
All without violence or aggression.
In 2021, Joe Biden took over the presidency.
Soon, the $200 million in Palestinian aid was restored. Then Biden allowed waivers on the sanctions on Iran, releasing multibillions in cash flow to them. And here we are now, amid of new flood of instability and violence.
It seems clear that Trump is totally justified in his claim that we would not have today’s turmoil if he still held office.
The lesson from the Trump regime teaches that the best policy for stability is strength, engagement and clarity about right and wrong — exactly the opposite of what we get from Biden.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson is now trying to advance a package of aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
The version passed in Senate totals $95 billion. Let’s note that the price of oil is up $30 per barrel since Biden took office. This costs U.S. consumers some $200 billion a year.
What’s the price of peace? Is it worth $95 billion?
Johnson should provide the same leadership as Trump provided over his four years by guiding through this aid package. The world is small, and evil forces are clearly aggressive. The lesson of the Biden administration is that there is no escape from passivity in the face of evil.