News of the cancellation reached Israeli readers of Israel Hayom (Sheldon Aldeson's Israeli newspaper) which reported "the military drill with Israel entailing the deployment of thousands of American troops this spring has suddenly been canceled." Mondoweiss informed its readers of the cancellation on its web site. President Obama had sent the message to Netanyahu that it was time to "stand down."
Prime Minister Netanyahu gave his Defense Minister the crow-eating assignment to break the official news to the Israeli public. Ehud Barack put on his brave face and told the Israeli public that there was a change in plans.
After months of intense warnings about the imminent danger of a nuclear armed Iran, Israel stood down. The threat had eased. The "mushroom cloud" disappeared.
On Tuesday night of this week, President Obama will deliver his annual State of the Union address. I, for one, will listen to that address with the same gratitude and pride I felt when Obama delivered his first State of the Union address in 2009.
We may not like every action our President has taken, or will take, but Barack Obama has clearly taken a stand on the future of the Middle East, a stand that is morally sound and politically courageous. An Israeli military option against Iran is currently off the table. Inshallah, it will stay off.
For those who wish to follow the President's Tuesday night speech, here is a preview from the White House:
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