Middle East

To my dear Babalú family, I’m off on an adventure to Israel for the exciting purpose of helping my daughter and son-in-law welcome their son into this world on or around the first of November. They are making their home there for three years, and I’m joining them for a month. Other than the dreaded 14.5 hour flight, I’m very excited to begin this dreamed about journey. I’m not sure how much time I’ll have on the computer with a new baby to help care for, but I will be blogging Cuba from Israel.

As you know, within the Cuban community when you’re preparing to travel, there is always someone who knows someone at your destination, and sure enough a Cuban friend of mine, has a Cuban friend in Israel. We’ve been emailing, and it will be fun getting the Cuban perspective from the Middle East. So far no one has heard of a Cuban restaurant in Israel so I’ll be cooking…

To make this day of my departure to the chaotic Middle East more exciting, I recieved an email with an editorial from my Israeli journalist internet buddy analyzing the future of Israel’s security in what he terms the “reset” of Obama, and asks, “If getting rid of Mubarak was one of the requirements of the reset process, what will stop them from doing the same with Israel?

David’s Sling; Is it Broken?

By Alexander Maistrovoy

Israel can become a price for resetting relations with Arabs

Henry Kissinger’s recent statement, that in 10 years Israel will cease to exist, borders with senile. Although one of his staff members denied it, Cindy Adams from New York Post insisted: “Reported to me, Henry Kissinger has stated – and I quote the statement word for word: ‘In 10 years, there will be no more Israel ‘”.

Kissinger is a controversial figure. He can hardly be suspected of excessive sympathy for Israel. He perhaps, inclines to the “syndrome of self-hatred” so fashionable nowadays in the Jewish elite. At the same time, Kissinger is not an exalted pop diva, cheap populist or rebellious professor. He is an experienced, prudent politician who takes responsibility for his utterance.

What drove him to such a dramatic conclusion? Is there a real and grave threat to Israel ?

Let’s try to analyze the situation. The first impression is rather unfavorable. Israel has been in the midst of historic upheaval. The political structure of the Middle East that existed since Camp David agreement has collapsed, forming a giant cloud of dust and chaos, from which the new threatening reality can crystallize.

America under Obama is deserting the Middle East . The future of Europe becomes vaguer as it loses its perspective. Iran becomes a regional power with nuclear weapons while Turkey – recently a strategic ally of Israel – raves Ottoman greatness.

A closer analysis of the situation reveals a different picture – not so bleak. Israel indeed remains an alien backed to sea nation in a world of anarchy, religious fanaticism, rioting crowds and insane dictators. Regardless, the country has a strong and viable economy, advanced technology, modern army, and flexible democratic system.

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