Netanyahu reportedly met this month with three foreign policy envoys working with former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump — who could yet win the election despite being convicted Thursday on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in his New York state hush money case.

Netanyahu, who benefited immensely from Trump’s first term, is arguably hoping for a similar dividend in the event of a second. In the interim, he has openly rejected the Biden administration’s hopes for the Palestinian Authority to take the lead in the postwar administration of Gaza, and he and his allies have shown no interest in even engaging in the White House on reviving pathways for a Palestinian state. And contrary to the Biden administration’s wishes, Netanyahu may soon act on a Republican invitation to address a joint session of Congress.

It’s not just Netanyahu who is waiting for Trump. The evidence is more clear that Russian President Vladimir Putin is holding out for a Trump victory, which would probably help the Kremlin consolidate its illegal conquests of Ukrainian territory. My colleagues reported last month that Trump and his inner circle have outlined the terms of a potential settlement between Moscow and Kyiv that they would attempt to usher in if in power. “Trump’s proposal consists of pushing Ukraine to cede Crimea and the Donbas border region to Russia, according to people who discussed it with Trump or his advisers and spoke on the condition of anonymity because those conversations were confidential,” they reported.

Such a move would fracture the transatlantic coalition built up in support of Ukraine’s resistance to Russian invasion. It would cement the Republican turn away from Europe’s security at a time when Western resolve around Ukraine is flagging. And it would be yet another sign of Trump’s conspicuous affection the strongman in the Kremlin.

    • anticolonialist@lemmy.worldEnglish
      37·
      5 months ago

      Telling us that Biden is attempting peace, while simultaneously sending weapons and money is a form of gaslighting. Telling us we are not struggling financially because the economy is doing so great, though we are experiencing the exact opposite is a form of gaslighting.

      Per your Wiki link:

      Gaslighting is a colloquialism, loosely defined as manipulating someone into questioning their own perception of reality.

      According to Merriam Webster:

      1 : psychological manipulation of a person usually over an extended period of time that causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts, perception of reality, or memories and typically leads to confusion, loss of confidence and self-esteem, uncertainty of one’s emotional or mental stability, and a dependency on the perpetrator Gaslighting can be a very effective tool for the abuser to control an individual. It’s done slowly so the victim writes off the event as a one off or oddity and doesn’t realize they are being controlled and manipulated. —Melissa Spino Gaslighting can happen in any relationship circumstance, including between friends and family members—not just in couple relationships. —Deena Bouknight This is a classic gaslighting technique—telling victims that others are crazy and lying, and that the gaslighter is the only source for “true” information. It makes victims question their reality … —Stephanie Sarkis

      2 : the act or practice of grossly misleading someone especially for one’s own advantage Election season can create emotions spanning from immense anxiety all the way to extreme apathy. The public arguing, divisiveness, and competition for votes, including political gaslighting, can be overwhelming and exhausting. —Vernita Perkins and Leonard A. Jason As the midterm elections approach, Americans have gotten an earful both about crime itself and how the other side is distorting the news about it for political gain. “Cherry-picking!” “Fearmongering!” “Gaslighting!” —Chris Herrmann and Fritz Umbach Intense gaslighting techniques are making it difficult for Montana’s commoners to discern what’s truth and what’s propaganda. —Steve Kelly This corporate gaslighting effectively blames children for being addicted to social media and conveniently ignores how companies have intentionally designed their products to have addictive features … —Nancy Kim

      • bobburger@fedia.io
        51·
        5 months ago

        You not only seem to be misunderstanding gas lighting still but also the messaging around the economy and the response to the Gaza invasion.

        Fun fact: the economy can be doing great and poor people can still exist. Let that doozy sink in.

        Another neat one: the Biden administration can want peace in Israel but not be willing to destroy the relationship we have with that country, alienate a huge portion of Biden voter, or destroy the political capital he has in order to get peace.