Despite his promise just two weeks ago to stay in the opposition, Barak accepted the Defense portfolio in Bibi’s government. Labor is expected to approve.
Barak and Bibi together are worse than either one of them alone. Their experience in Sayeret Matkal, Israel’s top commando unit, predisposed them to tunnel vision. Barak is a great tactician but a failed strategist, and Netanyahu is neither of those things.
Barak was the major voice in Olmert’s government against attacking Iran, Syria, and Gaza—though he planned and executed the last two operations with incredible success. Bibi is much less likely than Olmert to break Barak’s opposition on military matters.
Netanyahu desperately needs the left-wing Barak in order to make his right-wing government acceptable to our European and American puppeteers. Due to Labor’s internal deliberations, Barak might join the government after it is formed, and replace the interim Defense Minister.
