Iran’s emerging empire and Obama's foreign policy; beware, Israel!

Charles Krauthammer  "While Iran’s march toward a nuclear bomb has provoked a major clashbetween the White House and Congress, Iran’s march toward conventional domination of the Arab world has been largely overlooked. In Washington, that is. The Arabs have noticed. And the pro-American ones, the Gulf Arabs in particular, are deeply worried." . . .

"Why should we care about the coup? First, because we depend on Yemen’s government to support our drone war against another local menace, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). It’s not clear if we can even maintain our embassy in Yemen, let alone conduct operations against AQAP. And second, because growing Iranian hegemony is a mortal threat to our allies and interests in the entire Middle East."

And if you take nothing else away from this article, at least heed these words:

"Iran’s domination of Syria was further illustrated by a strange occurrence last Sunday in the Golan Heights. An Israeli helicopter attacked a convoy on the Syrian side of the armistice line. Those killed were not Syrian, however, but five Hezbollah fighters from Lebanon and several Iranian officials, including a brigadier general.

"What were they doing in the Syrian Golan Heights? Giving “crucial advice,” announced the Iranian government. On what? Well, three days earlier, Hezbollah’s leader had threatened an attack on Israel’s Galilee. Tehran appears to be using its control of Syria and Hezbollah to create its very own front against Israel."

Related: Charles Krauthammer’s remarks on The Kelly File Friday evening.

... "Obama has less sympathy for Israel than any president in our history, Krauthammer said.

"He had Netanyahu leave the White House through the rear entrance the first time he visited because they disagreed. Obama immediately makes it personal."  

Have I not used the word "petulant" often in articles about Obama?.

An ominous connection with the above: Will Hezbollah attempt to capture Metula?

"After several senior Hezbollah military leaders and an Iranian General were killed in the Syrian portion of the Golan Heights, presumably by Israel, there is plenty of speculation as to when and how Hezbollah and Iran will react.

"An article in The Times of Israel suggests that capturing an Israeli town or sections of northern Israel could be in store, as Hezbollah has threatened to do so in the next conflict:" . . .

(Hezbollah fortifications overlooking Metula, Israel)(photo Hadar Sela 2013)

... "So would Hezbollah try to capture Metula in response to the attack on the Hezbollah and Iranian commanders?

"My guess is not as part of a tit-for-tat. More likely rocket firings and attempted kidnappings, or attacks on Jewish and Israeli targets abroad.

"Because an attempt to capture an Israeli town like Metula would be the start of, or result in, all-out war."