Here’s the Nation’s DIME I’m thinking about from the recent declaration by President Trump’s Administration on Israel’s capital of Jerusalem…
In the Diplomatic realm-
UN Envoy Nikki Haley delivered the following speech at a Special Session of the United Nations Security Council. Three points I found most interesting: 1. Former US administrations have recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as all their government agencies are located there; 2. The Trump Administration supports a two-state solution if agreed to by Israel and the Palestinians; 3. Most importantly, President Trump’s announcement has not changed any arrangements at the Temple Mount.
In the Information realm-
The response from the Arab world was understandably harsh toward President Trump’s announcement. UN Palestine Ambassador Riyad Mansour called President Trump’s announcement as “illegal” and “crimes” during his speech at the UN Security Council Special Session. The leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah called for uprisings and intifada, nothing new there. The Hamas Charter states “There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors.” I urge all of you to read the Hamas Charter.
In the Military realm-
Militarily, if Israel and the US are to maintain their safety in the region, it must attack those supporting terrorist organizations like Hamas, Hezbollah, and ISIS, and those supporting the Assad Regime in Syria. That remains Iran. There is one man, Major General Qasem Soleimani, the Commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Quds Forces, who may be one of the most influential men in the Middle East right now.
The Economic realm-
After the announcement on 6 December, President Trump signed Presidential Determination No. 2018-02, suspending the 50% funding cap normally in place when a new Embassy opens. He ordered Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to immediately begin the relocation process. Funding for the move is now unrestricted, allowing contractors to begin identifying a location and design of the Embassy building.
— Final note, please let me know your feedback and suggestions on Twitter, your thought on this weeks DIME, and what do you want more or less of? Let me know by sending a tweet to @MarkHasara and put #nationsdime in the header.