The opinion, penned by Frédéric Koller and published in the Swiss newspaper Le Temps, outlines a stark choice. Following a hypothetical scenario of escalating conflict—Israeli bombings of Iran and retaliatory Iranian missile strikes on Tel Aviv—, Koller posits that Netanyahu is leveraging the pretext of an "imminent Iranian nuclear danger" to force one of two outcomes: a hastily signed new nuclear deal or, more desired by Israel, a full-scale effort for regime change in Tehran. The author reminds readers that Trump previously scuttled the 2015 JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal), which had guaranteed a civilian nuclear program for Iran in exchange for sanctions relief, and now claims he can negotiate a "better" deal, potentially sidelining European allies.
Koller asserts that Netanyahu's government harbors "hegemonic ambitions" to reshape the Middle East. This vision includes denying the right to a Palestinian state and eliminating the Iranian threat once and for all. This approach, the article argues, is not only dangerous for Israel's long-term survival but also for its allies. While a return to a negotiated compromise with Iran is seen as beneficial for regional peace—a view increasingly shared by Arab nations, Europe, and Washington—Netanyahu is portrayed as actively working against such an outcome, just as he did in 2015.
The analysis further questions who truly dictates American strategy, suggesting that under Trump's "erratic" leadership, US national security decisions could be effectively outsourced to a foreign leader. There's a palpable fear that the White House might be drawn into a conflict aimed not merely at freezing Iran's nuclear program but at overthrowing its government. The author expresses hope that internal debate within the US, even within Trump's MAGA base, might dissuade him from allowing Israeli preferences to dictate American actions.
Ultimately, Koller paints a grim picture, warning that a strategy of installing a puppet regime in Tehran is "programmed for failure" and would likely make European nations collateral damage in a new wave of regional disorder. Drawing parallels with the disastrous interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya—which at least carried the "pretext of promoting democracy"—the current push for regime change is depicted as a more blatant power play. The article concludes with a critical question: "Will Donald Trump know how to say no to Benjamin Netanyahu? So far, he has ceded everything."
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