Israel has seen a significant week regarding the hostages taken by Hamas two years ago. A statement from Hamas on Friday suggests that the Trump peace proposal may facilitate their return. This week also featured President Donald Trump addressing a gathering of military leaders, focusing on domestic issues rather than foreign adversaries like China or Russia. He referred to political opponents as "the enemy within," using language about Democratic administrations that he would not apply to leaders such as Xi Jinping or Vladimir Putin.

In a hypothetical scenario, Trump implied that if Vice President Kamala Harris were to become mayor of Moscow, he would support Ukrainian missile strikes on the Russian capital. Meanwhile, Qatar has emerged as a key player in the ongoing diplomatic situation, particularly as the second anniversary of the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, approaches.

Over the past two years, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced criticism for his handling of security, particularly following what many consider the worst security failure in Israel's history. Despite this, he has achieved several notable outcomes. First, he has effectively diminished Iranian influence in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and even within Iran, gaining support from major Arab nations. Second, his military actions in Gaza have garnered approval from his governing coalition, although these actions have drawn widespread condemnation from the international community, including traditional allies like Britain, France, Australia, and Canada.

Third, Netanyahu remains in power despite significant domestic disapproval and diplomatic isolation. His continued leadership, now approaching 30 years, is bolstered by support from radical elements within Israeli politics and backing from Trump. This reliance on both domestic and international support raises concerns for advocates of Israeli sovereignty and security, who fear that both could jeopardize Israel's interests.

Qatar has learned from Saudi Arabia the value of investing in influential American figures. By contributing substantial sums to various causes, Qatar aims to enhance its global standing. The late Dore Gold, a former Israeli ambassador to the UN, outlined in his 2003 book how the Saudi royal family supported extremist ideologies while simultaneously investing in American political and business elites to divert attention from their actions. This strategy proved effective, as evidenced by the U.S. response to the 9/11 attacks, which targeted Afghanistan and Iraq while Saudi Arabia, where many hijackers originated, faced little scrutiny.

Under the new crown prince, Saudi Arabia has shifted its approach, but Qatar continues to follow the previous model, investing billions to bolster its international profile, including funding for Hamas operations in Gaza. This dual strategy of supporting terrorism while engaging in diplomacy complicates the geopolitical landscape for Israel and its allies.