Israel Grasps the Heel


In actuality, the sons of Jacob didn't grasp the heel, but they have taken hold of the horn.  In what is an act of diplomatic genius,  Israel is the first U.N. member to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign region; albeit there has been  de facto autonomy for greater than three decades.

The citizens of Somaliland have taken to the streets in anticipation of improved infrastructure which will be provided by Israel.  Part of that improvement - discreet cough - involves a state of the art military intelligence campus which places Israel nose-to-nose with Yemen, and more importantly, the gain of greater control over the vital Bab al Mandab strait.  It is a choke point which thirty percent of global maritime trade is dependent upon.  Somaliland also offers succinct military advantages against Tehran, when (and not if) the need arises.  Israel just gained strategic depth. 

On smaller scale, Israel just offered hot chocolate and a plate of cookies to Greece and Cyprus.  A Tripartate Agreement has been signed and there will be joint exercises, greater dialogue... and that plate of cookies.  I see this more in the category of good will. Israel will be the heavy lifter for all of the rinky-dinks which are planned.   The Cyprus navy has paltry assets.  We have mega churches in Dallas with more members than the Cyprus Navy.  The Hellenic Navy is more robust, but have been involved in more "operations" than actual wars. 

Congratulations to Israel today for diplomatic imagination - as opposed to the usual stagnation which has been the hallmark of 21st century diplomacy related to Africa, and the smaller, yet important regions.

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