trump unleashes things that make you go, maybe. the trump, bibi dance goes on;

In a moment that stunned many in Washington, Donald Trump announced this week that high-level talks with Iran would begin on Saturday in Oman. Sitting beside him was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—perhaps the most fervent opponent of diplomacy with Tehran—who had just called for a so-called “Libya model” approach to Iran: a euphemism for demands so extreme they would sabotage diplomacy and push both nations toward war.

But what unfolded wasn’t the show of unity Netanyahu expected. Israeli officials may have known that quiet U.S.-Iran talks were underway, but they didn’t expect Trump to announce high-level direct talks, especially not with Netanyahu right there. Trump added to the discomfort by calling Turkish President Erdogan “very smart,” urging Netanyahu to be “reasonable” about Turkish interests in Syria, not committing to lifting tariffs on Israeli goods, and reminding everyone of the $4 billion in annual U.S. military aid to Israel. He even said he wanted the Gaza war to end. On every major issue, Netanyahu seemed unable to influence Trump’s position. As Israeli outlet Ynet put it, the White House “prepared a bitter surprise” for Netanyahu.

This shift comes amid a dramatic U.S. military buildup in the Middle East and the renewed assault on Gaza, as Israel’s war machine once again targets a devastated population. The regional fallout has been swift and sweeping: Houthi attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping, a large-scale U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen, and rising tensions with Iran and its allies. These are all interconnected crises, driven by US support for Israeli militarism and the mounting costs of failed diplomacy.

Against this backdrop, the Trump administration faces a pivotal choice: follow the hawks calling for direct military confrontation with Iran, or chart a course for diplomacy that could avert a disastrous war..............more.......