This phrase is generally attributed to Prince Charles, Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord. He was a unique figure in French political history, having served during the Revolution, then under Napoleon’s empire, and then during the Restoration under Louis XVIII. He had remarkable longevity and an incredible ability to “adapt” to the mood of the moment. This phrase is incredibly relevant today and deserves to be translated and displayed—surrounded by a gold ribbon in accordance with the preferences of the lord of the manor—on the Oval Office desk of the US president. It remains impressive to see a president make so many mistakes and ultimately put himself at the service of Bibi Netanyahu. Make no mistake, this war only serves the interests of Israel—or more precisely, the current Israeli government.
The goal, the only logical goal, is to prevent any power other than Israel from emerging between the Nile and the Euphrates—it is the pax Hebraica that must dominate, not the pax Americana. The ability to wage seven wars at the same time, to occupy territories in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza (after genocide and the destruction of that territory) and soon elsewhere, based on plans drawn up decades ago, clearly shows the goal being pursued. Moreover, the repeated claim that “they are one week away from having the bomb” is funny if it weren’t so tragic. Let us remember that Israel has had the bomb for at least four decades, along with the missiles needed to send them wherever it sees fit. We need an explanation as to why a country that has been invading its neighbors for 80 years is allowed to have nuclear weapons—like the kinglet of North Korea—but not a power of 92 million inhabitants like Iran. Of course, we will be told that they want to destroy Israel, whereas Israel—a great democracy—means no harm to its neighbors, but the facts show exactly the opposite. Of course, no one is going to mourn the death of a dictator mullah who massacres his own people, but this is where we come back to Talleyrand: if we want to give the Iranian people democracy, it will not be achieved with bombs. That has never worked, as we saw in Iraq (1 million dead and a country destroyed) and Libya (ditto). If Mr. Trump wanted to install democracy there—and wasn’t after oil—he would have to send in 120,000 to 150,000 soldiers, according to US military estimates, resulting in a dismembered country divided between numerous minorities, etc. And the Shah’s son, if he comes to the US, will have limited chances of survival.
Furthermore, Israel’s stated goal is above all to prevent democracy in Iran, because a little history is needed to remember that Persia long dominated this region and when the small kingdom of Judea chose the protection of Egypt, it was conquered and its elites forced to immigrate there, and it was under these conditions that the great Jewish texts were written. Israel does not want to have any serious enemies from the Nile to the Euphrates.
A true anecdote… I was invited by the French and Iranian governments to officially visit Iranian research laboratories as part of the desire to develop relations between the two countries. The welcome was incredibly warm, despite my Israeli background. I was able to see how talented these people are, making tools with bits of string that we pay dearly for here. During an official dinner with the Supreme Leader’s advisor on science and education, he suddenly asked me, “Professor, who do you think will be the dominant powers in the Middle East?” I replied without hesitation, “Minister, we both know the answer—Persia and Israel.” He changed the subject!
There is no doubt about it: this is not about avoiding a bomb like 20 years ago, it is not about weapons of mass destruction! It is about extending and guaranteeing the domination of the Hebrew state over the entire Middle East. Moreover, the comparison between the reactions of Villepin/Chirac at the time and those of today is painful. The UN and international bodies are ignored when it comes to Israel. The fact that a German chancellor goes to Israel to kiss BIBI, who is being prosecuted by the ICC for war crimes and genocide, speaks volumes about the divide we are facing. The carpet bombing used by Israel in Gaza is also used in Lebanon and Tehran, destroying schools and hospitals in order to create terror, not to restore democracy. The massacres in Gaza and the West Bank are horrific and should speak to our consciences.
Fortunately, there are the Italian people, Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain, and the Prime Minister of Norway to salvage what little honor remains. The President of the Commission, who it is high time gave way to someone who represents us a little better. This behavior opens the door to far-right forces, and we should not be surprised or regretful once the situation has unfolded.
