The Gist Daniel Zoughbie: The Mightiest Turns an Enemy into a Friend
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Dec 8, 2025 Daniel Zoughbie, an academic and complex-systems scientist, delves into his book, Kicking the Hornet's Nest, exploring U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East from Truman to Trump. He argues that Truman's recognition of Israel without acknowledging Palestinian rights set a problematic precedent. Zoughbie identifies numerous missed diplomatic opportunities and emphasizes the need for partition to satisfy both nationalisms. He also discusses how trauma and polarization undermine peace efforts, alongside insights into the bravery required to turn enemies into friends.
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Hornet's Nest Metaphor Explains External Disruption
- The hornet's nest metaphor stresses that external disruption to a functioning ecosystem provokes harmful backlash.
- Zogby uses it to frame how foreign interference in the Middle East can trigger prolonged instability.
Truman's Recognition Was A Missed Off-Ramp
- Truman's outright recognition of Israel broke with the UN's partition framework and skewed regional dynamics toward prolonged conflict.
- Daniel Zogby argues recognizing both Jewish and Palestinian self-determination as in the 1947 plan was the missed durable solution.
Defense Over Diplomacy Skewed U.S. Strategy
- U.S. policy overprioritized defense and let diplomacy and development atrophy, weakening peacemaking capacity.
- Zogby says rebalancing toward development and diplomacy is essential for durable regional security.
