What Hold Does Netanyahu Have on Trump?
CrossFireArabia- March 10, 2026
By Abdel Barri Atwan
Criticism is mounting against US President Donald Trump within the American ruling elite for his embrace of Benjamin Netanyahu and the racist right wing rulers of Israel, his capitulation to their pressure to prioritize Israel, and his mobilization of all American military and diplomatic capabilities to serve their wars in the Middle East, particularly against Iran.
The American president has become a laughingstock due to his ignorance of the Middle East and its history, both ancient and modern. The latest manifestation of this ignorance is the awakening of America, both its leadership and its people, to the astonishing resilience of the Iranian military on the battlefronts, the success of its forces in destroying all American military bases, and, more significantly, the resilience of the Iranian ruling establishment and the regime’s failure to collapse despite American military strikes and the assassination attempt against Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Iranian Islamic Revolution.
We don’t know the secret behind Trump’s weakness in the face of Netanyahu, his transformation into a puppet in Netanyahu’s hands, carrying out his orders without hesitation. During his first term, he moved the US embassy to occupied Jerusalem, recognized Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights, and withdrew from the nuclear agreement with Iran. In his second term, he supported the war of annihilation in the Gaza Strip and sent his bombers to launch two attacks on Iran: the first in June (the 12-day war) and the second 10 days ago. Trump went even further when he begged the Israeli president to pardon Netanyahu, ending his appearance before the Israeli Supreme Court in four corruption cases.
There is a prevailing theory, supported by the majority of observers, that explains this submission to Netanyahu by the leader of the world’s most powerful nation. It suggests that this subservience stems from scandalous files held by the Israeli Mossad, implicating Trump in the sexual abuse of minors, known as the Epstein files. These videos were used to blackmail him.
The only thing Trump learned from his “mentor” Netanyahu was lying, impulsive decision-making, and a contemptuous and arrogant attitude toward the other side and its capabilities. There are numerous examples of this, most notably the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities last June, claiming their complete destruction, only to find them still intact. The current aggression against Iran six months later is the strongest evidence.
And while we’re on the subject of Iran, we mustn’t forget Trump’s pledge and insistence on his approval of the new Iranian Supreme Leader, and his veto of the selection of Mojtaba, the son of the martyred Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Now, the Iranian deep state has delivered a powerful and humiliating blow to him by voting for Mojtaba in the internal elections held by the Assembly of Experts in a secret location and under American and Israeli bombardment. It is certain that Trump will not succeed in assassinating him or preventing him from remaining in power for long.
Trump will go down in history as the American leader who destroyed America’s prestige and all its global bases, its superior military deterrent, and his country’s third defeat in the Middle East—after Afghanistan, Iraq, and now Iran. All these setbacks stem from his breaking his promises to put America first and to refrain from foreign intervention and wars.
Trump’s days seem numbered, as the American people and the deep state will not allow him to continue his destructive policies against their security, economy, and prestige. His defeat in Iran is now clear, leaving him with only two options: Either continue the war and suffer further defeats and losses, or a swift and unconditional ceasefire with Iran and the signing of a “surrender” agreement.
There are two indicators that he may choose to withdraw and retreat, indirectly acknowledging defeat and failure as an admission of error:
First: The swift and sudden cancellation at the last minute of the planned visit to Tel Aviv by his aides Steve Wittkov and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, as its purpose was to coordinate the escalation of aggression against Iran. Second: The destruction of more than 17 American bases in the Middle East by Iranian missiles would effectively cripple America’s military might.
Israel has embroiled America in a war of attrition from which it will emerge severely wounded and on the brink of bankruptcy due to the current global energy crisis. This crisis is a direct result of Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the soaring prices of gas and oil, and the dramatic collapse of global financial markets. All of this is thanks to Iranian cunning, resilience, and military and political preparedness, and above all, their unwavering determination to fight to the death, whatever the cost.
This piece was translated from the Arabic daily website Al Rai Al Youm
