In recent days, growing signs of friction between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have captured headlines. Despite holding yet another phone conversation recently, Netanyahu has once again failed to persuade Trump to launch a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities—an outcome that could frustrate the Israeli premier and his supporters while potentially giving new momentum to negotiations between Tehran and Washington. While some media outlets have exaggerated the extent of the discord, others have tried to strike a more cautious tone. What is clear, however, is that the once seamless alliance between the two leaders no longer appears as solid as it once was, despite ongoing efforts to conceal the widening cracks in their relationship. The truth is that Netanyahu is no longer dealing with the likes of Barack Obama or Joe Biden—U.S. presidents who, for better or worse, tolerated his political grandstanding. Instead, he is confronting Donald Trump, a fundamentally different figure known for his narcissism and deep aversion to dissent. Trump tends to act according to his impulses, caring little for others’ preferences or disapproval. He trusts only those who fully endorse his views and execute them without question. Gone are the days when Netanyahu could address the U.S. Congress to openly criticize Obama or Biden, with lawmakers rising in applause and the Israeli leader returning home politically empowered. Trump is not one to accept criticism lightly, let alone permit a political performance reminiscent of the Obama-Biden era in Congress—unless it serves to gratify his ego. Trump’s intolerance for opposition is so pronounced that he has shown little patience even with his closest aides. In his first administration, numerous officials were dismissed simply for diverging from his views. Most recently, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz met a similar fate, with Trump reportedly believing Waltz was more aligned with Netanyahu on the issue of Iran than with his position. See more... https://8am.media/eng/trump-and-netanyahu-signs-of-strain-in-a-once-unshakable-strategic-alliance/