In the world of politics, there is always that seductive lie: “Security comes from the barrel of a gun.” It’s a lie that Benjamin Netanyahu has peddled for years under the guise of “defending Israel’s existence.” But perhaps the turning point in this game is today—when Netanyahu, Israel’s ever-hawkish prime minister, has not only failed to drag the weak and indecisive Joe Biden into a war with Iran but is now trying to pull Donald Trump—who turned “America First” into the banner of his foreign policy—into the same trap. Will Trump fall for it? And if he does, what will remain of his image as an independent and patriotic leader?
Even Biden Says “No”
Biden’s foreign policy has often been cold, cautious, and at times indecisive. In response to the Gaza war, attacks on U.S. facilities, and Iran’s regional maneuvers, Biden has shown half-hearted and sometimes nervous—but ultimately neutral—reactions. From Netanyahu’s perspective, Biden seemed like an “easy target”: an old and hesitant president who could perhaps be pushed with minimal effort into a military confrontation with Iran. But even Biden resisted Netanyahu’s war-driven agenda. He stood against Israel’s demand for a direct and extensive U.S. response to Iran’s proxy attacks and tried to prevent the conflict from spiraling into full-scale war. As a result, Netanyahu repeatedly had to declare on his own that if necessary, Israel would fight Iran alone. And now, in this new chapter, Netanyahu is eyeing an old option: Donald Trump.
Trump has repeatedly shown his unwillingness to drag America into endless Middle Eastern wars. While he withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal and applied maximum pressure, he refrained from military retaliation during critical moments—like when an American drone was shot down over the Persian Gulf in 2019. The reason was clear: Trump genuinely believes that wars in the Middle East are costly for the American people and bring no tangible benefits to the citizens of Indiana, Pennsylvania, or Ohio. This view is especially popular among the white middle class—the heart of Trump’s voter base. For these voters, Trump was not a “war hero” but a leader of “internal rebuilding”—someone who was supposed to build walls on the Mexican border, not in the Persian Gulf.
Netanyahu’s Grand Trap: A War in Trump’s Name, A Defeat for Trump
Under these circumstances, Netanyahu’s push to entangle Trump in a conflict with Iran is not only a repetition of a dangerous pattern but also a direct threat to the image Trump has cultivated: an independent, anti-militarist leader serving the American people’s interests. If Trump gets pulled into such a war, how would he be any different from the neoconservatives of the 2000s who dragged Americans into the quagmires of Iraq and Afghanistan? Imagine images of dead U.S. soldiers, skyrocketing military costs, severe oil price fluctuations, rising inflation, and, most importantly, the collapse of the “America First” doctrine. This is exactly the scenario that Democrats—and some traditional Republicans—are waiting for to derail Trump’s momentum.
What Netanyahu Wants: Power Without Cost, War With Someone Else’s Signature
What Netanyahu wants is clear: he wants the U.S. to bear the political, military, and human costs of a war with Iran, while Israel plays the role of the “victimized observer.” Time and again, Netanyahu has shown he has no problem with war—as long as others fight it for him. From George W. Bush to Biden, from Obama to Trump, Netanyahu has always tried to align Washington with Tel Aviv’s objectives. But here’s the issue: if Trump accepts this game, he will no longer be the leader who sets his own rules. He’ll be just another pawn in the regional chessboard designed by Israel.
Conclusion: Netanyahu’s War, Trump’s Downfall?
Netanyahu fears even a symbolic agreement between Trump and Iran—an agreement that could eliminate the constant threat of war from the Middle East equation and diminish Israel’s role as the “frontline in the battle against evil.” But the real danger is not for Netanyahu—it’s for Trump himself. If Trump yields to Netanyahu’s pressure and enters into conflict, his political legacy will suffer a devastating blow. In fact, a war with Iran is precisely what Trump’s opponents need to destroy his image as an independent, America-centered, and rational leader. If even a passive Biden didn’t fall for this trap, perhaps Trump’s greatest leadership test is this: saying no to a temptation that appears powerful—but in reality, destroys his very identity.