Turkey and Israel are locked in a fresh diplomatic confrontation after Ankara reportedly sought an Interpol Red Notice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

The dispute centres on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which sailed toward Gaza carrying hundreds of activists before Israeli forces intercepted the vessels in the Mediterranean and detained those on board.

Turkey has accused Netanyahu and others of serious crimes, while Israel has rejected the allegations and sharply attacked the Turkish government.

The wider controversy comes as Britain, Canada and Australia condemn Israel’s decision to close a probe into the 2024 strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza.

Turkey Seeks Interpol Red Notice For Netanyahu | Israel-Turkey Row Escalates Over Gaza Flotilla

US President Donald Trump, at the G7 summit, said that Israel would not exist without the US. He said that he had a strong relationship with Netanyahu but warned him to show more restraint. On the same day, addressing Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said, "Without Israel, without the Jewish foundation, there would not be America.”&nbsp;He continued that they owed their very existence to what happened in that land. These are contrarian viewpoints held by top US officials in the same administration, so which one is true?<h2>Would the US not exist without Israel, or would Israel not exist without the US?&nbsp;</h2>

The US empire and the Israeli occupation are in a co-constitutive or symbiotic relationship. Israel is a settler colonial state established with the fall of the British Empire and the rise of the US Empire. They are structurally codependent parts of a single global imperial system. Israel acts as a US proxy in the most vital, volatile and resource-rich region, which was historically called the Levant. It is the military foothold that maintains US hegemony globally. Without one, the other eventually collapses.By internal logic, a settler colonial state has to have continuous territorial expansion and the subjugation of the indigenous population, which creates a permanent state of warfare, which can be seen since the establishment of Israel as a political entity in 1948. Settler colonialism is imperialism’s forward edge, the tip of its spear. The US and Israel both strategically need each other, even if sometimes rhetorically or even tactically they are opposed; without Israel, the US empire would lose its foothold and most important forward proxy in West Asia. Without the US and its endless stream of military and financial aid, Israel would not exist or could not justify its occupation.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-targets-crimea-supply-route-novorossiya-highway-drone-campaign-1782300756766">Can Ukraine isolate Crimea? Attacks on vital supply routes raise pressure on Moscow</a> But there is an inherent contradiction within imperialism. The hegemon needs to stabilise its empire and manage its dominance, whereas the settler colony needs war to fulfil its territorial ambitions and combat its growing fear of dependency. This is why the global resistance unites against both the US and Israel because it knows that localised resistance is toothless; it seeks globalisation of the resistance, which seeks to fight the global capitalist and imperialist apparatus. This is the reason why both the US and Israel jointly target Iran, because it has managed to globalise the resistance and emerged as a blueprint of how to resist against an imperial-settler coalition.In the eschatological view, the US ambassador was implying the Christian Zionist narrative that the US as a nation or the majority of Western nations owes their spiritual and physical survival to Biblical Israel. They imply the Abrahamic covenant, that those who bless Israel will be blessed, while those who oppose Israel will be cursed. While the traditional Christian narrative does not exactly follow the same stream, they consider that the Christian Church succeeded or fulfilled the promises made to biblical Israel through Jesus Christ. But traditional Jewish people do not consider Jesus Christ as sacred or a prophet. Hence, there exists a perpetual conflict of interest within the elites of the US empire.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The US-Iran war and the remarks by Donald Trump and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee on Israel's significance to America have drawn attention to the deep political, military and religious ties between the two countries.

US President Donald Trump, at the G7 summit, said that Israel would not exist without the US. He said that he had a strong relationship with Netanyahu but warned him to show more restraint. On the same day, addressing Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said, "Without Israel, without the Jewish foundation, there would not be America.” He continued that they owed their very existence to what happened in that land. These are contrarian viewpoints held by top US officials in the same administration, so which one is true? Would the US not exist without Israel, or would Israel not exist without the US?

The US-Iran war and the remarks by Donald Trump and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee on Israel's significance to America have drawn attention to the deep political, military and religious ties between the two countries.

Would the US not exist without Israel, or would Israel not exist without the US?

Jordanian House of Representatives speaker &nbsp;Mazen al-Qadi rejected the US ambassador’s remarks on Arab lands in a parliamentary debate organised on Monday. Jordanian parliament voted unanimously to remove the name Israel from the minutes of the meeting in a symbolic protest against the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee's comments during an interview with the conservative commentator Tucker Carlson. Jordanian MP Hail Ayash, who said that the Jewish state “represents an enemy to every Jordanian”.&nbsp;&nbsp;Jordanian Parliament speaker Mazen al-Qadi said Huckabee's comments, which allegedly justified Israeli control over the “Arab lands”, are a violation of international law and the UN charter. "These statements are a blatant provocation and a serious breach of state sovereignty," said Qadi. He added that the West Bank and Gaza Strip are Palestinian territories and claims of divine right for the Jewish people are “unacceptable and undermine prospects for a just, two-state solution,” according to anti-Zionist outlet Roya News.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-uk-baby-born-womb-transplant-hugo-powell-grace-bell-1771929335158">First UK baby born after womb transplant: Hugo Powell delivered in London</a>&nbsp;Another MP at the Jordanian parliament, Ali Khalaileh, urged the summoning of the US ambassador to Jordan, James Holtsnider, seek clarification on the statement of Mike Huckabee. Jordanian MP Abdul Nasser Khasawneh has called for a permanent removal of the term “Israeli entity” from official discourse and refering it as a usurping entity. &nbsp;This marks a sharp escalation in diplomatic tension between Tel Aviv and Amman, even though both countries signed a treaty to normalise relations in 1994.&nbsp;Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, represented the Kingdom at the Peace Council meeting chaired by US President Donald Trump, attended by 48 countries. Jordan plans to contribute to the plan by training Palestinian police personnel within Jordan, enhancing field hospital operations in Gaza, continuing to treat patients from Gaza in Jordanian facilities, and providing humanitarian aid alongside international partners.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Speaker Mazen al-Qadi condemns comments by US envoy Mike Huckabee as Jordanian MPs protest and call for clarification from James Holtsnider. FM Ayman Safadi attends peace meeting hosted by Donald Trump.

Jordanian House of Representatives speaker Mazen al-Qadi rejected the US ambassador’s remarks on Arab lands in a parliamentary debate organised on Monday. Jordanian parliament voted unanimously to remove the name Israel from the minutes of the meeting in a symbolic protest against the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee's comments during an interview with the conservative commentator Tucker Carlson. Jordanian MP Hail Ayash, who said that the Jewish state “represents an enemy to every Jordanian”. Jordanian Parliament speaker Mazen al-Qadi said Huckabee's comments, which allegedly justified Israeli control over the “Arab lands”, are a violation of international law and the UN charter. "These statements are a blatant provocation and a serious breach of state sovereignty," said Qadi. He added that the West Bank and Gaza Strip are Palestinian territories and claims of divine right for the Jewish people are “unacceptable and undermine prospects for a just, two-state solution,” according to anti-Zionist outlet Roya News. Also Read: First UK baby born after womb transplant: Hugo Powell delivered in London Another MP at the Jordanian parliament, Ali Khalaileh, urged the summoning of the US ambassador to Jordan, James Holtsnider, seek clarification on the statement of Mike Huckabee. Jordanian MP Abdul Nasser Khasawneh has called for a permanent removal of the term “Israeli entity” from official discourse and refering it as a usurping entity. This marks a sharp escalation in diplomatic tension between Tel Aviv and Amman, even though both countries signed a treaty to normalise relations in 1994. Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, represented the Kingdom at the Peace Council meeting chaired by US President Donald Trump, attended by 48 countries. Jordan plans to contribute to the plan by training Palestinian police personnel within Jordan, enhancing field hospital operations in Gaza, continuing to treat patients from Gaza in Jordanian facilities, and providing humanitarian aid alongside international partners.

Speaker Mazen al-Qadi condemns comments by US envoy Mike Huckabee as Jordanian MPs protest and call for clarification from James Holtsnider. FM Ayman Safadi attends peace meeting hosted by Donald Trump.

Jordanian parliament rejects Mike Huckabee's remark, vote to remove 'Israel' from minutes

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has created a diplomatic uproar with his unhinged interview with the US conservative commentator Tucker Carlson. He endorsed the idea of "Pax Judaica" or “Greater Israel”- that Israel has a biblical right to much of the Middle East, from “Nile to Euphrates”, essentially sweeping across Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and large swaths of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. In a statement on social media platform X, Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry lambasted the comments as “extremist rhetoric” and “unacceptable” and demanded clarification from the US State Department.&nbsp;In the joint statement signed by 14 Muslim and Arab nation, including UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria and the State of Palestine, as well as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council, said that the comments are against the UN Charter and undermine the efforts to deescalate the Gaza war and advance a political horizon for a two state solution,&nbsp;Iran also targeted US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, in a social media post, calling it &nbsp;"American active complicity" in Israel's expansionist war of aggression.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/epstein-files-israeli-security-nyc-apartment-ehud-barak-1771493888007">Epstein files reveal Israeli officers installed and controlled security equipment in Manhattan apartment</a><h2>What is the Pax Judaica?</h2>Pax Judaica, is the Christian and Jewish eschatological definitions for the more formal version of “Pax Silica”. An idea of a technology-based world order with the US-Israel defence and innovation partnership as the “core” and surveillance and AI as its tools. Analysts suggest that it is the diplomatic and pragmatic vehicle for Pax Judaica. It is the idea that, after Pax Britannica and Pax Americana, Israel will be the final stage of a global superpower. Ambassador Mike Huckabee unintentionally or accidentally admitted the end goal."Israel is a land that God gave, through Abraham, to a people that he chose. It was a people, a place and a purpose," he claimed. He also argued that the US &nbsp;must "bless Israel" if it wishes to receive God’s blessing, citing the biblical passage that says God "blesses those who bless Israel and curses those who curse Israel".&nbsp;

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee faces backlash from Saudi Arabia, Iran and 14 Muslim nations after endorsing “Pax Judaica” and the Greater Israel idea.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has created a diplomatic uproar with his unhinged interview with the US conservative commentator Tucker Carlson. He endorsed the idea of "Pax Judaica" or “Greater Israel”- that Israel has a biblical right to much of the Middle East, from “Nile to Euphrates”, essentially sweeping across Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and large swaths of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. In a statement on social media platform X, Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry lambasted the comments as “extremist rhetoric” and “unacceptable” and demanded clarification from the US State Department. In the joint statement signed by 14 Muslim and Arab nation, including UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria and the State of Palestine, as well as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council, said that the comments are against the UN Charter and undermine the efforts to deescalate the Gaza war and advance a political horizon for a two state solution, Iran also targeted US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, in a social media post, calling it "American active complicity" in Israel's expansionist war of aggression. Also Read: Epstein files reveal Israeli officers installed and controlled security equipment in Manhattan apartment What is the Pax Judaica? Pax Judaica, is the Christian and Jewish eschatological definitions for the more formal version of “Pax Silica”. An idea of a technology-based world order with the US-Israel defence and innovation partnership as the “core” and surveillance and AI as its tools. Analysts suggest that it is the diplomatic and pragmatic vehicle for Pax Judaica. It is the idea that, after Pax Britannica and Pax Americana, Israel will be the final stage of a global superpower. Ambassador Mike Huckabee unintentionally or accidentally admitted the end goal. "Israel is a land that God gave, through Abraham, to a people that he chose. It was a people, a place and a purpose," he claimed. He also argued that the US must "bless Israel" if it wishes to receive God’s blessing, citing the biblical passage that says God "blesses those who bless Israel and curses those who curse Israel".

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee faces backlash from Saudi Arabia, Iran and 14 Muslim nations after endorsing “Pax Judaica” and the Greater Israel idea.

Arab and Muslim nations condemn US ambassador’s ‘Greater Israel’ remarks, demand clarification

US President-elect Donald Trump has started his transition ahead of taking the oath of office in January 2025. From the names he suggested for cabinet and other key positions in the White House, it is clear that his second non-consecutive term will try to settle political scores while ensuring protection from court cases.&nbsp;

Based on the profiles of Team Trump, here is an analysis of how different aspects of government will be impacted, from global wars to domestic security.

Note: This time, most of Trump's nominees will eventually get the jobs, as the Senate and House of Represenatives are also Republican-controlled after the November 5 general election. Only the most controversial nominations might get stuck at committee level in House and Senate. But this article assumes all the names would be final.

WATCH- Trump's Cabinet: Congressman Matt Gaetz Named As Attorney General

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<h2>ENDING WARS IN UKRAINE AND WEST ASIA</h2>

Trump had often claimed during the re-election campaign that he is the only one who can end the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, and prevent World War 3. The time has come for him to deliver.&nbsp;

He has picked Marco Rubio to lead the State Department. As secretary of state, the Florida Senator will lead efforts to de-escalate the situation.&nbsp;

Trump also chose Mike Huckabee, a staunch defender of Israel, as the US ambassador to the Jewish nation, which is engaged in a multi-front war with terror groups Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel is also fighting Iran and its proxies like Houthi rebels in Yemen, and other militants in Iraq and Syria. The choice of Huckabee is a clear indication that ultimately, the US will favour Israel's views on ending the conflict.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tulsi-gabbard-newly-elected-trumps-spy-chief-served-in-us-military-for-over-two-decades-776235">Also read: Tulsi Gabbard, newly-appointed Trump's spy chief, served in US military for over two decades</a>

But can he really end the war? Trump is averse to the US being dragged into foreign wars, and particularly opposed to paying for them. Also remember that he was the architect of the Abram Accords, the agreements of peace and cooperation between Israel and several of its enemy Arab states. It is quite possible that Trump and his team would be able to start negotiations that could end the war in the Middle East.

The US efforts to end Russia-Ukraine war are going to be skewed in favour of Russia, with Trump having a direct line with Russian President Vladimir Putin for a long time. Trump had been dismissive and critical about Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him the 'greatest salesman'. Don't forget that Trump's first impeachment in 2019 came as a result of his blocking of aid to Ukraine (to force it to investigate the current President Joe Biden).&nbsp;

The efforts at the United Nations to end the Ukraine war will be led by Trump nominee for US envoy, Elise Stefanik.

Any move by Trump to end the war in a way that could favour Russia would again put him at odds with NATO, which has been helping Ukraine with funds and arms to fight Russia, along with the Biden administration. Trump, in his first term, had wanted the US to cut its contributions to NATO, and pressured its other members from Europe to pay up and level the field on financial contributions to the western military alliance.&nbsp;

<h2>TRUMP'S LEGAL CASES: SHAKING UP THE JUDICIARY AND DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE&nbsp;</h2>

Trump wants to protect himself from conviction and sentencing in the ongoing legal battles, and will try to wind up all of them.&nbsp;

The cases deal with the 2020 election interference and the 2021 Capitol Hill riot, tax evasion, handling of classified documents, and the Stormy Daniels hush money payment.&nbsp;

Trump will ensure that presidential immunity is intact, and take more efforts to protect himself from future prosecution once he leaves office.

Trump's picks for key posts in the Justice Department are a clear indication of his intentions. He named Matt Gaetz as the attorney general, thus giving the country's top prosecutor role to a staunch ally. One of the things Trump said Gaetz would do is 'end weaponised government', code for what his surrogates call 'lawfare' against political opponents.&nbsp;

More interesting is his pick of Todd Blanche as deputy attorney general. Blanche was a defence lawyer for several of Trump's court cases.

Many of Trump's cases are being heard in New York courts. Keeping that in mind, he has appointed Jay Clayton, a loyalist, as the US attorney for the Southern District of New York, a very powerful post within the justice department.

<h2>THE BORDER, IMMIGRATION AND HOMELAND SECURITY</h2>

Trump made no secret of his hatred for immigrants trying to enter the US from the southern border. He started building a wall in his first term and will continue to strengthen efforts to prevent individuals and caravans from entering or getting asylum in the US. His homeland security secretary pick, Kristi Noem, is going to play a key role in implementing this.

Trump has once said that he would be a dictator 'may be on the first day', and ordering the deportation of illegal migrants could be one of the things he would do on day one or first week in office.&nbsp;

For this, he has appointed Tom Homan as the border czar who once promised to carry out the largest mass deportation ever by the US. 
Homan comes with significant experience, having led the immigration and customs enforcement in the first Trump administration.

<h2>SHAKING UP THE INTELLIGENCE ESTABLISHMENT</h2>

Trump has been a target of several investigations led by the intelligence establishment, or what he calls the deep state, particularly the classified documents investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. There is even talk that he will clip the wings of FBI with funding cuts. In broader terms, Trump has promised to dismantle the deep state, a reference mainly to the government-intelligence cooperation that led to what he calls a 'witchhunt' during and after his first term in office.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-20-tulsi-gabbard-nominated-to-head-us-intelligence-matt-gaetz-to-lead-justice-department-775994">Also read: Trump 2.0: Tulsi Gabbard nominated to head US Intelligence, Matt Gaetz to lead Justice Department</a> 
&nbsp;

Leading the charge would be Tulsi Gabbard, who Trump named as director of national intelligence. Trump also brought back his former DNI John Ratcliffe as the director of Central Intelligence Agency.&nbsp;

There is speculation that Trump would shake up FBI, with a leadership change and reorganisation of its structure. In his view, the agency was used by Biden administration as a tool to prosecute him.

<h2>FUTURE OF AMERICA AT WAR: DEFENCE AND SOLDIERS</h2>

Trump has exhibited strong support for American soldiers and veterans, who in turn backed him in large numbers. His opposition to foreign wars is part economic rationale and part isolationalist approach to global security affairs.&nbsp;

Trump does not want to send American boots to the ground, and had started the process of US troop withrdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan when he left office.&nbsp;

He might find an ally in his new defence secretary nominee Peter Hegseth, who has seen wars first hand. Hegseth was deployed to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2011. Having had no strategic or decision making role in military or national securty affairs, his approach is likely to be more grassroots, with an ear for the concerns of the American soldier than the larger goal of global policing.

This might erode the traditional role of America as the pre-eminent global power the international community looks up to intervene in and resolve conflicts.&nbsp;

Will the US want to give strategic space to Russia and rising China in this regard? That's an open question for now. Remember, however, that Trump had cooperated with Russia in helping eliminate the Islamic State terror group in the Middle East.

Trump has nominated the controversial Flordia Congressman Mike Waltz as the national security advisor. The former Army Green Beret is a war veteran of Afghanistan and worked as policy advisor to Republican administrations.

Waltz' appointment is also significant in the context of China, a country Trump might want to keep in check. Waltz has been critical of China on various issues like the mistreatment of the Uighur Muslims. He was also an advocate of the theory that the Covid pandemic originated in a Chinese lab.

<h2>GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND WASTE: WILL ELON MUSK CHANGE THINGS?</h2>

The appointment of the world's richest man Elon Musk, and Trump challenger-turned ally Vivek Ramaswamy to run a new agency of government efficiency is signficant. Trump wants to protect the upper middle class and the rich from taxes, while reducing government spending, and soverign debt. Musk has promised a trillion-dollar cut in government waste. Trump's Repubican base advocates least amount of goverment invervention in their lives. It would be interesting to see how much waste he is able to cut.

<h2>ENVIRONMENT: BACK TO FOSSIL FUELS AND POLLUTING VEHICLES?</h2>

Trump has been an ally of the fossil fuel lobby, having taken the US out of the Paris Accord to tackle climate change during his first term. Trump said he would 'drill baby, drill' to bring back America's very old dominance as the top oil producer. This will practically end the commitments to environmental causes.&nbsp;

For this he has roped in Lee Zeldin, who has no practical experience in the field, to run the environmental protection agency. Zeldin promised to 'restore US energy dominance', meaning back to drilling untapped reserves of petroleum in US and its territorial waters. He also promised, as did Trump, to 'revitalise the auto industry'.

Both these policies appeal to the rust belt America, which is looking forward to a windfall of jobs in the auto and oil sectors.&nbsp;

<h2>HEALTHCARE: WILL BIG PHARMA FACE THE MUSIC?</h2>

At the fag end of his first term, Trump and his allies amplified Covid conspiracy theories as the pandemic hit the US. It might even be argued that Covid was a cause of Trump's defeat in the 2020 election. Now, he has appointed as health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, the former Democrat who had openly opposed the Covid vaccination mandate. Will he reopen the Covid files and investigate America's response to it is one question. The other is whether he will take on Big Pharma, which made billions of dollars of profit during the Covid pandemic, particularly through their Covid vaccines.

<h2>BUT WHO CAN BLOCK TRUMP?</h2>

Roughly half of Senate and the full House of Representatives went into election along with the presidential election on November 5. Senate term is for six years and the House of Representatives' term is two years. This means there will be mid-term elections, and the Congress composition could change in next couple of years in favour of Democrats who can then block Trump's legislative agenda.

This acts as a check and balance system offering legislature's oversight on presidential actions, as much of it (except perhaps presidential orders) will need Congressional approval.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Democrat-chaired committees in the Senate and House could also put a spanner in the works on Trump policies. The other major check mechanism is the Supreme Court, whose nine judges these days have clear political leanings. Currently, the bench has a Conservative tilt, and Trump will get the opportunity to name more judges. Remember that Supreme Court judges can serve till death, and their rulings can impact a generation.

Then there is the media, the fourth pillar of democracy. Besides the Democrats, much of US media is likely to serve as the Opposition. We can expect dirt to be digged up on all his nominees before, during or after they assume office.

US President-elect Donald Trump has started his transition ahead of taking the oath of office in January 2025. From the names he suggested for cabinet and other key positions in the White House, it is clear that his second non-consecutive term will try to settle political scores while ensuring protection from court cases.

US President-elect Donald Trump has started his transition ahead of taking the oath of office in January 2025. From the names he suggested for cabinet and other key positions in the White House, it is clear that his second non-consecutive term will try to settle political scores while ensuring protection from court cases. Based on the profiles of Team Trump, here is an analysis of how different aspects of government will be impacted, from global wars to domestic security. Note: This time, most of Trump's nominees will eventually get the jobs, as the Senate and House of Represenatives are also Republican-controlled after the November 5 general election. Only the most controversial nominations might get stuck at committee level in House and Senate. But this article assumes all the names would be final. WATCH- Trump's Cabinet: Congressman Matt Gaetz Named As Attorney General × ENDING WARS IN UKRAINE AND WEST ASIA Trump had often claimed during the re-election campaign that he is the only one who can end the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, and prevent World War 3. The time has come for him to deliver. He has picked Marco Rubio to lead the State Department. As secretary of state, the Florida Senator will lead efforts to de-escalate the situation. Trump also chose Mike Huckabee, a staunch defender of Israel, as the US ambassador to the Jewish nation, which is engaged in a multi-front war with terror groups Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel is also fighting Iran and its proxies like Houthi rebels in Yemen, and other militants in Iraq and Syria. The choice of Huckabee is a clear indication that ultimately, the US will favour Israel's views on ending the conflict. Also read: Tulsi Gabbard, newly-appointed Trump's spy chief, served in US military for over two decades But can he really end the war? Trump is averse to the US being dragged into foreign wars, and particularly opposed to paying for them. Also remember that he was the architect of the Abram Accords, the agreements of peace and cooperation between Israel and several of its enemy Arab states. It is quite possible that Trump and his team would be able to start negotiations that could end the war in the Middle East. The US efforts to end Russia-Ukraine war are going to be skewed in favour of Russia, with Trump having a direct line with Russian President Vladimir Putin for a long time. Trump had been dismissive and critical about Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him the 'greatest salesman'. Don't forget that Trump's first impeachment in 2019 came as a result of his blocking of aid to Ukraine (to force it to investigate the current President Joe Biden). The efforts at the United Nations to end the Ukraine war will be led by Trump nominee for US envoy, Elise Stefanik. Any move by Trump to end the war in a way that could favour Russia would again put him at odds with NATO, which has been helping Ukraine with funds and arms to fight Russia, along with the Biden administration. Trump, in his first term, had wanted the US to cut its contributions to NATO, and pressured its other members from Europe to pay up and level the field on financial contributions to the western military alliance. TRUMP'S LEGAL CASES: SHAKING UP THE JUDICIARY AND DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Trump wants to protect himself from conviction and sentencing in the ongoing legal battles, and will try to wind up all of them. The cases deal with the 2020 election interference and the 2021 Capitol Hill riot, tax evasion, handling of classified documents, and the Stormy Daniels hush money payment. Trump will ensure that presidential immunity is intact, and take more efforts to protect himself from future prosecution once he leaves office. Trump's picks for key posts in the Justice Department are a clear indication of his intentions. He named Matt Gaetz as the attorney general, thus giving the country's top prosecutor role to a staunch ally. One of the things Trump said Gaetz would do is 'end weaponised government', code for what his surrogates call 'lawfare' against political opponents. More interesting is his pick of Todd Blanche as deputy attorney general. Blanche was a defence lawyer for several of Trump's court cases. Many of Trump's cases are being heard in New York courts. Keeping that in mind, he has appointed Jay Clayton, a loyalist, as the US attorney for the Southern District of New York, a very powerful post within the justice department. THE BORDER, IMMIGRATION AND HOMELAND SECURITY Trump made no secret of his hatred for immigrants trying to enter the US from the southern border. He started building a wall in his first term and will continue to strengthen efforts to prevent individuals and caravans from entering or getting asylum in the US. His homeland security secretary pick, Kristi Noem, is going to play a key role in implementing this. Trump has once said that he would be a dictator 'may be on the first day', and ordering the deportation of illegal migrants could be one of the things he would do on day one or first week in office. For this, he has appointed Tom Homan as the border czar who once promised to carry out the largest mass deportation ever by the US. Homan comes with significant experience, having led the immigration and customs enforcement in the first Trump administration. SHAKING UP THE INTELLIGENCE ESTABLISHMENT Trump has been a target of several investigations led by the intelligence establishment, or what he calls the deep state, particularly the classified documents investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. There is even talk that he will clip the wings of FBI with funding cuts. In broader terms, Trump has promised to dismantle the deep state, a reference mainly to the government-intelligence cooperation that led to what he calls a 'witchhunt' during and after his first term in office. Also read: Trump 2.0: Tulsi Gabbard nominated to head US Intelligence, Matt Gaetz to lead Justice Department Leading the charge would be Tulsi Gabbard, who Trump named as director of national intelligence. Trump also brought back his former DNI John Ratcliffe as the director of Central Intelligence Agency. There is speculation that Trump would shake up FBI, with a leadership change and reorganisation of its structure. In his view, the agency was used by Biden administration as a tool to prosecute him. FUTURE OF AMERICA AT WAR: DEFENCE AND SOLDIERS Trump has exhibited strong support for American soldiers and veterans, who in turn backed him in large numbers. His opposition to foreign wars is part economic rationale and part isolationalist approach to global security affairs. Trump does not want to send American boots to the ground, and had started the process of US troop withrdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan when he left office. He might find an ally in his new defence secretary nominee Peter Hegseth, who has seen wars first hand. Hegseth was deployed to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2011. Having had no strategic or decision making role in military or national securty affairs, his approach is likely to be more grassroots, with an ear for the concerns of the American soldier than the larger goal of global policing. This might erode the traditional role of America as the pre-eminent global power the international community looks up to intervene in and resolve conflicts. Will the US want to give strategic space to Russia and rising China in this regard? That's an open question for now. Remember, however, that Trump had cooperated with Russia in helping eliminate the Islamic State terror group in the Middle East. Trump has nominated the controversial Flordia Congressman Mike Waltz as the national security advisor. The former Army Green Beret is a war veteran of Afghanistan and worked as policy advisor to Republican administrations. Waltz' appointment is also significant in the context of China, a country Trump might want to keep in check. Waltz has been critical of China on various issues like the mistreatment of the Uighur Muslims. He was also an advocate of the theory that the Covid pandemic originated in a Chinese lab. GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND WASTE: WILL ELON MUSK CHANGE THINGS? The appointment of the world's richest man Elon Musk, and Trump challenger-turned ally Vivek Ramaswamy to run a new agency of government efficiency is signficant. Trump wants to protect the upper middle class and the rich from taxes, while reducing government spending, and soverign debt. Musk has promised a trillion-dollar cut in government waste. Trump's Repubican base advocates least amount of goverment invervention in their lives. It would be interesting to see how much waste he is able to cut. ENVIRONMENT: BACK TO FOSSIL FUELS AND POLLUTING VEHICLES? Trump has been an ally of the fossil fuel lobby, having taken the US out of the Paris Accord to tackle climate change during his first term. Trump said he would 'drill baby, drill' to bring back America's very old dominance as the top oil producer. This will practically end the commitments to environmental causes. For this he has roped in Lee Zeldin, who has no practical experience in the field, to run the environmental protection agency. Zeldin promised to 'restore US energy dominance', meaning back to drilling untapped reserves of petroleum in US and its territorial waters. He also promised, as did Trump, to 'revitalise the auto industry'. Both these policies appeal to the rust belt America, which is looking forward to a windfall of jobs in the auto and oil sectors. HEALTHCARE: WILL BIG PHARMA FACE THE MUSIC? At the fag end of his first term, Trump and his allies amplified Covid conspiracy theories as the pandemic hit the US. It might even be argued that Covid was a cause of Trump's defeat in the 2020 election. Now, he has appointed as health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, the former Democrat who had openly opposed the Covid vaccination mandate. Will he reopen the Covid files and investigate America's response to it is one question. The other is whether he will take on Big Pharma, which made billions of dollars of profit during the Covid pandemic, particularly through their Covid vaccines. BUT WHO CAN BLOCK TRUMP? Roughly half of Senate and the full House of Representatives went into election along with the presidential election on November 5. Senate term is for six years and the House of Representatives' term is two years. This means there will be mid-term elections, and the Congress composition could change in next couple of years in favour of Democrats who can then block Trump's legislative agenda. This acts as a check and balance system offering legislature's oversight on presidential actions, as much of it (except perhaps presidential orders) will need Congressional approval. Democrat-chaired committees in the Senate and House could also put a spanner in the works on Trump policies. The other major check mechanism is the Supreme Court, whose nine judges these days have clear political leanings. Currently, the bench has a Conservative tilt, and Trump will get the opportunity to name more judges. Remember that Supreme Court judges can serve till death, and their rulings can impact a generation. Then there is the media, the fourth pillar of democracy. Besides the Democrats, much of US media is likely to serve as the Opposition. We can expect dirt to be digged up on all his nominees before, during or after they assume office.

Trump 2.0: What will his 'revenge cabinet' do to the US and world? Who can stop him?

US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday (Nov 12) announced Mike Huckabee as his pick for US ambassador to Israel in the Trump 2.0 administration.

In a statement, praising the pro-Israel pastor-turned-politician,&nbsp;Trump said,&nbsp;“Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years.”

“He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East!,” he added, reinforcing his administration’s strong pro-Israel stance.

Huckabee's nomination must be confirmed by the US Senate before he assumes the position.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-picks-former-us-spy-john-ratcliffe-as-cia-chief-kash-patel-misses-out-on-top-role-775674">Donald Trump picks former US spy John Ratcliffe as CIA chief, Kash Patel misses out on top role</a>

<h2>Israel reacts to nomination</h2>

Offering his congratulations to Mike Huckabee, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said,&nbsp;“I look forward to working with you to strengthen the bond between our peoples.”

“As a longstanding friend of Israel and our eternal capital, Jerusalem — I hope you will feel very much at home,” he added on X.

<h2>Who is Mike Huckabee?</h2>

69-year-old Mike Huckabee was born in Hope, Arkansas. He started his career as a staffer for televangelist James Robison, before moving on to serving as the pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, from 1980 to 1986, and the Beech Street First Baptist Church in Texarkana, from 1986 to 1992.

He entered politics in 1992.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy-to-lead-department-of-government-efficiency-in-trumps-second-term-775673">Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to lead 'Department of Government Efficiency' in Trump's second term</a>

<h2>Mike Huckabee's political career</h2>

Mike Huckabee ran his first political race in 1992 for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas. Even though he received 40 per cent of the votes in the general election, he lost.

He went on to serve as the 44th governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007.

In 2008 and 2016, he was a candidate for the Republican Party presidential nomination but fell short in bids.

His daughter Sarah Huckabee Sanders served as Trump's White House press secretary from 2017 to 2019 and is the current governor of Arkansas.

<h2>Mike Huckabee's views</h2>

Huckabee is a pro-Israeli politician who has openly supported Israeli settlement building in the West Bank — which most of the international community views as illegal.

In 2017, Huckabee was present in Maale Adumim for the expansion of one of Israel's largest settlements.

Speaking to CNN at the time, he said,&nbsp;“There is no such thing as the West Bank -- it's Judea and Samaria.”

“There's no such thing as a settlement; they're communities, they're neighbourhoods, they're cities. There's no such thing as an occupation,” he added.

In Dec 2023, after the Hamas attack on Israel, he visited Kibbutz Kfar Aza, where dozens of Israelis were massacred in the October 7 attack and said,&nbsp;“I wanted to be here to say I stand with Israel. I stand with the Jewish people.”

Huckabee, as per reports, has been a regular visitor to Israel since 1973 and has led numerous evangelical tours there.

(With inputs from agencies)

US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday (Nov 12) announced Mike Huckabee as his pick for US ambassador to Israel in the Trump 2.0 administration. In a statement, praising the pro-Israel pastor-turned-politician, Trump said, “Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years.

US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday (Nov 12) announced Mike Huckabee as his pick for US ambassador to Israel in the Trump 2.0 administration. In a statement, praising the pro-Israel pastor-turned-politician, Trump said, “Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years.” “He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East!,” he added, reinforcing his administration’s strong pro-Israel stance. Huckabee's nomination must be confirmed by the US Senate before he assumes the position. Also read | Donald Trump picks former US spy John Ratcliffe as CIA chief, Kash Patel misses out on top role Israel reacts to nomination Offering his congratulations to Mike Huckabee, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said, “I look forward to working with you to strengthen the bond between our peoples.” “As a longstanding friend of Israel and our eternal capital, Jerusalem — I hope you will feel very much at home,” he added on X. Who is Mike Huckabee? 69-year-old Mike Huckabee was born in Hope, Arkansas. He started his career as a staffer for televangelist James Robison, before moving on to serving as the pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, from 1980 to 1986, and the Beech Street First Baptist Church in Texarkana, from 1986 to 1992. He entered politics in 1992. Also read | Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to lead 'Department of Government Efficiency' in Trump's second term Mike Huckabee's political career Mike Huckabee ran his first political race in 1992 for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas. Even though he received 40 per cent of the votes in the general election, he lost. He went on to serve as the 44th governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. In 2008 and 2016, he was a candidate for the Republican Party presidential nomination but fell short in bids. His daughter Sarah Huckabee Sanders served as Trump's White House press secretary from 2017 to 2019 and is the current governor of Arkansas. Mike Huckabee's views Huckabee is a pro-Israeli politician who has openly supported Israeli settlement building in the West Bank — which most of the international community views as illegal. In 2017, Huckabee was present in Maale Adumim for the expansion of one of Israel's largest settlements. Speaking to CNN at the time, he said, “There is no such thing as the West Bank -- it's Judea and Samaria.” “There's no such thing as a settlement; they're communities, they're neighbourhoods, they're cities. There's no such thing as an occupation,” he added. In Dec 2023, after the Hamas attack on Israel, he visited Kibbutz Kfar Aza, where dozens of Israelis were massacred in the October 7 attack and said, “I wanted to be here to say I stand with Israel. I stand with the Jewish people.” Huckabee, as per reports, has been a regular visitor to Israel since 1973 and has led numerous evangelical tours there. (With inputs from agencies)

Who is Mike Huckabee? Donald Trump's pick for US ambassador to Israel

Mike Huckabee, US President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for the role of ambassador to Israel, said in an interview with Army Radio that "of course" annexation of the West Bank is a possibility.&nbsp;

According to a report by The Time Of Israel, Huckabee also added that he is not the one who sets policy.&nbsp;

Using the Biblical terms used by the right-wing of West Bank in the interview, Huckabee said, "Well I have been as you know, a frequent visitor to Judea and Samaria,” The Time Of Israel reported.

“I also very much believe that the people of Israel deserve a secure and safe country and anything I can do that will help accommodate that is going to be a great privilege for me,” the agency quoted him as saying.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/terrorist-involved-in-october-7-attack-killed-in-gaza-strike-says-idf-775785">Terrorist involved in October 7 attack killed in Gaza strike, says IDF</a>

When the anchors of the show asked if West Bank annexation is a possibility during Trump's second term in the White House, Huckabee was quoted as saying, "Well of course. I won’t make the policy, I will carry out the policy of the president, but he has already demonstrated in his first term that there’s never been an American president who has been more helpful in securing an understanding of the sovereignty of Israel, from the moving of the embassy, recognition of the Golan Heights, and Jerusalem as the capital, no one has done more than President Trump and I fully expect that will continue.”&nbsp;

Talking about Trump's announcement of his role, Huckabee said he is "incredibly honoured" that he was chosen for the role.&nbsp;

Huckabee is a pro-Israeli politician who has openly supported Israeli settlement building in the West Bank, which most of the international community views as illegal.

In 2017, Huckabee was present in Maale Adumim for the expansion of one of Israel's largest settlements.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-un-official-describes-gaza-as-wasteland-of-rubble-says-civilians-face-daily-cruelty-at-israels-hands-775770">Top UN official describes Gaza as 'wasteland of rubble' says civilians face 'daily cruelty' at Israel's hands</a>

Speaking to CNN at the time, he said,&nbsp;“There is no such thing as the West Bank, it's Judea and Samaria.”

“There's no such thing as a settlement; they're communities, they're neighbourhoods, they're cities. There's no such thing as an occupation,” he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

Mike Huckabee, US President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for the role of ambassador to Israel, said in an interview with Army Radio that "of course" annexation of the West Bank is a possibility.

Mike Huckabee, US President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for the role of ambassador to Israel, said in an interview with Army Radio that "of course" annexation of the West Bank is a possibility. According to a report by The Time Of Israel, Huckabee also added that he is not the one who sets policy. Using the Biblical terms used by the right-wing of West Bank in the interview, Huckabee said, "Well I have been as you know, a frequent visitor to Judea and Samaria,” The Time Of Israel reported. “I also very much believe that the people of Israel deserve a secure and safe country and anything I can do that will help accommodate that is going to be a great privilege for me,” the agency quoted him as saying. Also read | Terrorist involved in October 7 attack killed in Gaza strike, says IDF When the anchors of the show asked if West Bank annexation is a possibility during Trump's second term in the White House, Huckabee was quoted as saying, "Well of course. I won’t make the policy, I will carry out the policy of the president, but he has already demonstrated in his first term that there’s never been an American president who has been more helpful in securing an understanding of the sovereignty of Israel, from the moving of the embassy, recognition of the Golan Heights, and Jerusalem as the capital, no one has done more than President Trump and I fully expect that will continue.” Talking about Trump's announcement of his role, Huckabee said he is "incredibly honoured" that he was chosen for the role. Huckabee is a pro-Israeli politician who has openly supported Israeli settlement building in the West Bank, which most of the international community views as illegal. In 2017, Huckabee was present in Maale Adumim for the expansion of one of Israel's largest settlements. Also read | Top UN official describes Gaza as 'wasteland of rubble' says civilians face 'daily cruelty' at Israel's hands Speaking to CNN at the time, he said, “There is no such thing as the West Bank, it's Judea and Samaria.” “There's no such thing as a settlement; they're communities, they're neighbourhoods, they're cities. There's no such thing as an occupation,” he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Mike Huckabee says West Bank annexation 'of course' possible in Trump's second term

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Mike Huckabee says West Bank annexation 'of course' possible in Trump's second term