Trump's Burdens: Netanyahu and Putin.

When Trump was elected to office and before, he swore to end the Ukraine-Russia War and the Gaza-Israeli War. Let us not forget what he kept saying as he held Biden responsible, "On my watch, these wars would never have happened, never have happened". Really, Mr. Trump? Were you so drunk on your image that the very thought of you would have scared Brutal Bibi and Vlad the Invader to think twice before they did what they did? Did you think your relationship with these two men, who were politicians, when you were still making losses in business, was that good? You see things through the eyes of a businessman. You are always after that elusive deal. Okay, you've done some deals with the UK and India, which worked out. However, Mr. Trump, Brutal Bibi and Vlad the Invader are different kettles of fish.

Netanyahu and Putin are figures that have seemingly been around forever. Both men are political stalwarts and know how to play the long game. Both Putin and Netanyahu have seen American leaders come and go. And despite everything ranged against them, they may still be in power when Trump leaves office. Bibi might fall before Vlad; that said, no one can tell.

During Trump 1.0, Trump went out of his way to court men like Xi, Kim Jong-un, Netanyahu, and Putin. Why, because he saw in them Alpha-Males similar to himself. When one looks back at how seemingly Kim and Trump were so close in their negotiations. But it all went pear-shaped as talks over North Korea's nukes went south. Look at how close Trump was with Putin as well in his first term.

It seems, though, in Trump 2.0, the 'Orange One' has woken up. Despite attempts to get Putin around the negotiating table with Zelenskyy, Putin isn't biting. Instead, Putin put his demands on the table if Ukraine wants peace. Trump has become increasingly angry and frustrated with Putin. Now, the latest idea is that if Putin is not willing to talk peace, Trump will impose more sanctions on Russia in 50 days. The Russians are used to living under sanctions and, no doubt, Putin will shrug this off. Trump has had a roundabout change of opinion since he humiliated Zelenskyy in the White House. Trump has resumed sending arms to Ukraine, as Biden did.

Meanwhile, the war goes on with Ukraine trying to hold the line against the Russian juggernaut. As for Netanyahu, Trump has accused Bibi of manipulating him. Markedly so, as when Trump went to the Middle East, he did not visit Israel. Netanyahu has visited Trump 3 times this year. And while the relationship is still close, Trump appears to have woken up to Brutal Bibi. Trump still props up Israel with money and weapons. But when Bibi's F-35s were on their way to bomb Iran yet again on the eve of the ceasefire, Trump was on Air Force 1 and told Netanyahu straight to turn his planes around and abide by the ceasefire.

Netanyahu did just that, and so the 12-day war between Israel and Iran ended. So when push comes to shove, Trump, like other American leaders before him, influences Jerusalem. Netanyahu knows that if Trump so desired could stop all money and weapons to Israel. So there is a difference in Trump's relationship with Bibi as opposed to Vlad. Trump, for all Bibi's shenanigans, can stop Bibi in his tracks if he so desires. That's because Israel depends on the US and the wider West. Israel, in a way, is Europe or the US in the Middle East. It is a piece of land like the Crusader states before it, supplied, influenced, and propped up by Western powers.

Putin, on the other hand, is not dependent on the US, and neither is Russia. Unlike Israel, which is supported, supplied, and propped up by the West.

Nevertheless, the comparison between Putin and Netanyahu is real. Yes, there are differences, but both men are two sides of the same coin in many aspects.