Driving the Week: Iran’s growing aggression against America shows Biden’s weakness - John Bolton in the Washington Post, December 20th
John Bolton in the Washington Post: Hostile acts by Iranian proxies have accumulated, striking U.S. targets more than 100 times. To the mullahs, U.S. restraint shows not good faith but civilizational decline. We never strike Iran, and the mullahs draw the appropriate conclusions. Powerful strikes against Iran's surrogates alone might establish deterrence, but Biden is not even trying.
Critical Context: In light of these continual and growing acts of war by Iranian proxies, Biden's not only failed to establish even minimal deterrence; but seems incapable of thinking strategically about interests in the region, dismaying friends and allies.
The Final Word: Iran is not looking for ways to live with America in the Middle East. Tehran wants us out, particularly from our gulf military bases. Tehran also wants Israel further isolated and ultimately eliminated. None of this should be acceptable to the United States.
"Biden works against Israel's objectives" - John Bolton on NewsNation Morning in America
John Bolton on NewsNation: President Biden continues to reassure Israel that they have our support, while also campaigning against their objectives. This doublespeak is unacceptable. Israel is our close ally; it’s time Biden starts acting like it.
Critical Context: Biden initially said that our greatest ally, Israel, could count on American support but when a vocal minority in the Democratic party’s base started ramping up enthusiastic opposition to Israel’s right to self-defense, his support cooled tremendously.
The Final Word: Biden’s actions towards Israel are unacceptable and not how America should treat one of our closest allies. America needs to do better!
Bolton On NewsNation: "Biden says he supports Israel while undercutting them"
John Bolton on NewsNation: Biden talks out of both sides of his mouth on the topic of Israel, all to appease Democratic extremists and manage his reelection prospects.
Critical Context: Biden is handcuffing Israel with his words and actions. Biden is schizophrenic on this issue by calling for lowering the intensity of Israel’s operations. Actions have consequences and with Biden’s words and actions, he is causing considerable harm to Israel achieving its ultimate goal to defend its right to self-defense of its people.
The Final Word: These actions are pro-Hamas, let’s just call it like it is, and will undercut international support for Israel.
Bolton on NewsNight with Abby Phillip: “removing any classified intelligence information is a crime.”
John Bolton on NewsNight with Abby Phillip: Bolton commented on the issue surrounding a notebook of classified information from Trump's tenure on Russian collusion that is missing from the White House.
Critical Context: Intentionallyremoving any classified intelligence information is a crime. Ultimately, Trump's White House Counsel's office may know the key to this story. They were involved in the effort to redact sensitive information and have a strong reputational interest in getting the facts out in the open.
The Final Word: The issue needs to be taken seriously, even if this reads like a cheap spy novel.
"We need to offer a real deterrent to Iran." - John Bolton on FDD Morning Brief
John Bolton on FDD Morning Brief: Iran is the central threat in the region and is behind the proxy Houthi and Iraqi Shiite militia attacks. Biden has gotten rid of the sanctions and is doing nothing to be a nuclear deterrent to the rogue nation.
Critical Context: Biden has not responded correctly to Iran's aggression in the region. The lack of response is the wrong calculation. We need to offer a real deterrent to Iran. We are effectively doing nothing.
The Final Word: We can stand up to Iran in a way that will not start a war. We can’t wait for a mass casualty event before responding.
