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Yediot Aharonot discusses the "Islamic winter." The author argues that, "All of the perceptions of Islam have one common denominator: Nullification of the existence of Israel. In the view of Sunnis, Shiites, religious and secular, we are invaders living on their holy land – and there is but one verdict for us all."
Ma’ariv says, "The first anniversary of the ‘Arab Spring’ has almost come to be known as the day the Americans folded up their flag in Iraq and went home. Had the American administration learned this Iraqi lesson, perhaps it would not have hurried a year ago to stab the dictator Mubarak in the back before being certain that the foundation had been laid in the direction of real democracy in Egypt."
Haaretz comments on the end of US presence in Iraq: "Almost nine years after George W. Bush sent his forces to find weapons of mass destruction, the time has come for soul-searching. Iraq has not become more secure. Its democracy is also in dispute. It is one of the most corrupt countries on earth. It has the world’s fourth largest oil reserves and yet is unable to provide uninterrupted electric power to its citizens. Public services and personal security are on a par with the worst countries. Iraq was supposed to become economically independent and – strong and democratic – it was to join the Arab wall against Iran. The opposite has happened. Iraq is Iran’s most important ally in the region from an economic and political standpoint. Beyond the issue of Iraq’s future, the war taught the United States and region a harsh strategic lesson. Iraq and Afghanistan became the military trauma after Vietnam. That trauma should be at the front of the mind of anyone seeking a war against Iran."
The Jerusalem Post comments: "When Obama administration headliners, including Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, publicly caution Israel against a preemptive strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, another unfortunate perception is produced. Intentional or not, the impression is that Washington has tied Israel’s hands and that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has less to fear. Whatever misgivings exist in Washington, they need to be discussed with Israel in private and not aired in a manner that engenders glee in Tehran. This is no time to build up the ayatollahs’ confidence."
Yisrael Hayom recalls that, "Throughout history, the Jewish people maintained the tradition of lighting candles during Chanukah, and even today most secular Jews participate in the tradition. The lights have two primary purposes. The first is the remembrance of the days when the Temple existed, when the Greeks demanded that we forsake the Torah and fought the Jewish People with all their might, and despite that, the few and weak Jews prevailed. The other [reason] is that the candles remind us of those times, but as a hope, paradoxically, for the present days. As is written in the prayer recited during Chanukah; ‘For the miracles and the wonders that You did for our forefathers, in those days, at this season.’ As was then, so it is true today: The struggle of the weak and the few against the strong and many has never passed, and certainly not in these days when Israel finds itself alone against enemies that are numerous and mighty, like one sheep among seventy wolves. The candles remind us never to give up hope."
[Eitan Haber, Oded Granot and Yerach Tocker wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Ma’ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]