This potent video gives a comprehensive synopsis of US-Israeli relations since Barak Obama assumed the presidency in 2009. As he told Jewish leaders then: Look at the past eight years. During those eight years, there was no space between us and Israel, and what did we get from that? When there is no daylight, Israel just sits on the sidelines, and that erodes our credibility with the Arab states.”

Obama got his “daylight”. He made bids for it. But what has the tense relations with Israel done for American foreign relations with the Muslim states of the Middle East? Has Obama really made a breakthrough? American foreign relations with the Muslim states does not seem much improved. Baraq has shown contempt and disdain for the Israeli PM Benyamin Netanyahu, and has tried his best to build fond and warm relations with Muslim leaders. Will this policy create strong ties between the USA and theocracy based Muslim monarchies? Will it help the USA combat violence and terror from within and without?
One thing is certain, Obama’s approach is likely to to stir things up and create more terror and instability in the Middle East. And, of course, it provided him with a free punching bag in the form of Israeli PM Netanyahu.