Expiration date
The two-state solution for an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement may have a January 20 expiration date. That’s, of course, when Donald Trump takes office. And when everything could change. Via the New York Times.
20th century politics
David Rothkopf: Obama’s last act of Israeli drama may have been his best. And what he proved was that Trump, Putin and Netanyahu are the last politicians from the 20th century. Via Foreign Policy.
Criticizing Kerry
John Kerry’s speech criticizing Israeli settlements drew warm support in Europe, but not so much in Congress from either party. Via the New York Times.
One last time
It’s no puzzle why Obama felt he had to be heard on Israel one final time, issuing one last warning. But in case you don’t understand, David Remnick explains. Via the New Yorker.
Haters gonna hate
Unsurprisingly, the National Review has a different take on Obama and Israel. You may have heard it before: Obama despises Israel because he despises the West.
Wait your turn
What’s really bugging Trump about Obama, other than the little slights the president sends the president-elect’s way, is as simple as this: Apparently only one person can be president at a time. Via Politico.
Most admired man
Would Obama actually have beaten Trump if Obama could have run for a third term? That’s an unknowable, of course. But there is this: In the Gallup poll, Obama did beat Trump as the country’s most admired man. And, once again, Hillary Clinton was the most admired woman. Via the Washington Post.
Hollywood tragedy
In a tragic story line of the kind that Hollywood made famous, Debbie Reynolds dies a day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher. According to TMZ, Reynolds died of a stroke while planning her daughter’s funeral. For the famous mother burying her famous daughter, it might just as well have been a broken heart. Via the Los Angeles Times.
Psychological breakthrough
Psychologists think they have made a breakthrough in figuring out why people have such trouble changing their minds when it comes to political beliefs: It all comes down to partisan identity. Via Vox.
Photo credit: Gage Skidmore, Creative Commons, Flickr.
