Foreign Policy Live Trump, Netanyahu, and the Future of the Middle East
11 snips
Jul 10, 2025 
Thomas Friedman, a three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for the New York Times and author of 'From Beirut to Jerusalem', shares insights on the recent Trump-Netanyahu meeting. He discusses the complex negotiations concerning a potential ceasefire in Gaza and the impacts on Israeli domestic politics. Friedman analyzes the broader geopolitical landscape, including the U.S.'s bipartisan support for Israel and its implications for relations with China and Iran. He emphasizes the need for constructive dialogue in addressing contemporary conflicts.
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Netanyahu's Conditional Ceasefire
- Netanyahu wants a 60-day ceasefire returning half the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
- Afterward, he seeks the right to resume war to satisfy his far-right coalition's political demands.
Saudi-Israel Normalization Challenges
- Saudi Arabia demands firm Israeli commitment toward a Palestinian state for normalization.
- Netanyahu's coalition base resists Palestinian statehood, making a deal with MBS difficult.
Israel’s Moral and Political Crisis
- Israel's current government actions in Gaza are a moral stain causing international condemnation.
- The war's undefined political goals weaken Israel’s global standing and alienate younger supporters.
