Sullivan writes that "Both [Putin and Netanyahu] have the supreme self-confidence of fools; and the political instincts of geopolitical arsonists. Our only hope in restraining them is to watch them slowly hoist by their own canards. The problem is that hundreds of civilians in an airplane and in the crowded streets of Gaza keep becoming the collateral victims of their posturing."
Indeed. Their comeuppance is far too long coming, and thousands of innocents--Palestinians, Ukrainians, and now citizens of the world--will perish before Putin and Netanyahu justly go down. That's the way it goes with global monsters.
But, another "problem"? Us, and Europe. We keep hoisting the twosome of Putin and Netanyahu by our own poltroonery and imprudence. Severe sanctions against Russia? Well damn that could hurt certain European economies. Can't have that, not without agonizing delays, anyway.
A withdrawal of U.S. economic, diplomatic and military support for an "ally" who brutalizes its neighbor and denies it human rights and would, as well, love nothing more than to drag us into a suicidal conflagration with Iran? Hell no. To such a destructive ally we pass Congressional resolutions of support. We perpetuate the Palestine-Israel conflict as much as Netanyahu; he knows he can spit in any U.S. president's face with impunity. Because "supporting Israel" is what we do. Just ask any AIPAC-bought congressman.
I have more sympathy for the Europeans than I do for ourselves. But let's face it; they'll get tougher with Russia before we ever do with Israel.