US administration getti frustrated with Israeli PM Netanyahu's ‘mad' regional policy
Citing US officials on the condition of anonymity, Axios reported that much frustration has been growing within the Donald Trump administration over Netanyahu's "mad" regional policy, particularly in the wake of Israel's latest attacks in Syria.
"Bibi acted like a madman. He bombs everything all the time... This could undermine what Trump is trying to do," one exasperated US official said.
Other White House figures believe Netanyahu's aggressive stance will prove a "big mistake" in the long run, suggesting he's blind to the damage inflicted upon Israel's standing among America's leadership.
Another official warned that Netanyahu's actions risk plunging Syria into deeper instability, with dire consequences for both the besieged Druze community and Israel itself, adding yet another level of uncertainty in an already deeply troubled and unstable Middle East.
The latest round of Israeli strikes, which targeted the presidential palace and general staff building in Damascus this week, came amidst a brutal conflict gripping Syria's southern province of Suwayda.
Last week, massive violence erupted within the Druze and Bedouin militias, leading to the intervention of the Syrian security forces.
However, their intervention only exacerbated the tensions, leading to fierce clashes between Druze militia and Syrian forces. The fighting ended after the Israeli bombings, with Damascus giving free hand to the Druze in monitoring their own security.
The Israeli attack hasn't gone well within the political circles in Washington, with several top-level US officials, including US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, reportedly having voiced their concerns directly to President Donald Trump.
While the official US position supports Jerusalem, the growing impatience and frustration could cause cracks in the Israel-US defence relations. UNI ANV SSP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
19 minutes ago
- Mint
Trump to pull US out of UNESCO again, citing bias toward Palestine and China: ‘Totally out-of-step'
The United States will again withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), marking another reversal of President Joe Biden's multilateral approach, according to reports citing US and European officials. The move is part of President Donald Trump's renewed campaign to distance the US from international institutions he deems hostile or unaligned with American interests. 'President Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from UNESCO — which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November,' said White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly, as quoted by The New York Post. The administration cited the agency's pro-diversity, equity and inclusion policies, and a perceived bias in favor of Palestine and China. A White House official told the news outlet that UNESCO 'has leveraged its influence to advance global standards favorable to Beijing's interests' and 'force through anti-Israel and anti-Jewish actions.' UNESCO, headquartered in Paris, is best known for designating World Heritage Sites. However, US officials have objected to some recent listings, accusing the agency of politicising heritage by designating Jewish holy sites as 'Palestinian World Heritage.' This is not the first time the US has parted ways with the agency. The country first withdrew from UNESCO in 1984 under President Ronald Reagan, citing mismanagement and anti-US bias. It rejoined in 2003 under President George W. Bush after reforms. Trump previously pulled the US out in 2017 on similar grounds, and Biden rejoined in 2021. The latest withdrawal comes as Trump reimplements a broader disengagement from global institutions. Since returning to the White House in 2025, Trump has already decided to quit the World Health Organization (WHO) and cut funding to the Palestinian relief agency UNRWA. 'This President will always put America First and ensure our country's membership in all international organizations aligns with our national interests,' Kelly added.
Indian Express
22 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Days after Trump claimed credit, Coca-Cola announces new cane sugar Coke. But classic recipe stays
Days after US President Donald Trump claimed he had convinced Coca-Cola to swap out high-fructose corn syrup for cane sugar, the company has confirmed it will release a new version of Coke made with US cane sugar—though its flagship product will remain unchanged. As per CNN, in its quarterly earnings report Tuesday, Coca-Cola said that as 'part of its ongoing innovation agenda,' it would launch a new cane sugar version of its cola in the fall, intended to 'complement the company's strong core portfolio and offer more choices across occasions and preferences.' Some regional versions of Coke, such as the Mexican variant, already use cane sugar. Last week, Trump posted on Truth Social that Coca-Cola had 'agreed' to use cane sugar in its colas. However, the company's announcement clarifies that the traditional Coke recipe sold in the US will continue to include high-fructose corn syrup. The move aligns with a broader push from Trump's Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has publicly railed against high-fructose corn syrup. As per a report by CNN, in a September appearance on Dr. Jordan Peterson's podcast, Kennedy called it a 'formula for making you obese and diabetic,' as part of his ongoing campaign to eliminate artificial and ultra-processed ingredients from American foods. High-fructose corn syrup has long been used in US-made Coca-Cola because of its low cost and abundance, especially compared to cane sugar. Health experts warn, however, that neither ingredient makes soda healthy. While cane sugar may seem more 'natural,' nutritionists continue to flag sugar-sweetened beverages as major contributors to obesity, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions.
New Indian Express
22 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
UN says Israeli military killed over 1,000 seeking Gaza aid since late May
GENEVA: The UN on Tuesday said Israeli forces have killed over 1,000 Palestinians trying to get food aid in Gaza since the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation started operations. An officially private effort, the GHF began operations on May 26 after Israel halted supplies into the Gaza Strip for more than two months, sparking famine warnings. GHF operations have been marred by chaotic scenes and near-daily reports of Israeli forces firing on people waiting to collect rations in the Palestinian territory. "Over 1,000 Palestinians have now been killed by the Israeli military while trying to get food in Gaza since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation started operating," UN human rights office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan told AFP. "As of July 21, we have recorded 1,054 people killed in Gaza while trying to get food; 766 of them were killed in the vicinity of GHF sites and 288 near UN and other humanitarian organisations' aid convoys." Kheetan added, "Our data is based on information from multiple reliable sources on the ground, including medical teams, humanitarian and human rights organisations." The war in Gaza has created dire humanitarian conditions for the more than two million people who live in the coastal territory. Gaza's population faces severe shortages of food and other essentials. GHF says it has distributed more than 1.4 million boxes of foodstuffs to date. "We're adjusting our operations in real time to keep people safe and informed, and we stand ready to partner with other organisations to scale up and deliver more meals to the people of Gaza," GHF interim director John Acree said Monday. The United Nations and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the GHF over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives and violates basic humanitarian principles.
