Wolf in a Suit: The West Embraces al-Jolani, Israel Prepares for War
While Donald Trump publicly deliberates in complete seriousness whether al-Jolani will be entrusted with handling Hezbollah, Israel is preparing for a possible campaign also against the new Syrian leadership. Lines on the character of the…
Assessment
The West's public flirtation with al-Jolani, including Trump's apparent consideration of him as a proxy against Hezbollah, stands in stark contrast to Israel's quiet military preparations for a possible confrontation with Syria's new leadership. The piece frames al-Jolani as a uniquely sophisticated terrorist actor, suggesting that Western embrace may be dangerously naive. The key tension is between diplomatic engagement and military readiness, with Israel apparently betting on the latter.