A political-diplomatic forecast for the year ahead: Fourth and fifth Israeli elections, a rotten new/old nuclear deal with Iran, more trouble from Trump.

A collection of six optimistic op-ed columns I have published since the “Abraham Accords” were signed, including three articles based on extensive conversations with Emirati intellectuals and community leaders during a week-long visit to Dubai.

There are several ways in which the Emiratis and Bahrainis (and perhaps soon the Saudis) can bring about a slow but sea change in Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian (and Egyptian and Jordanian) attitudes towards Israel.

Emirati pursuit of peace with Israel is backed by a genuine discourse of religious moderation and broad-mindedness.

This should be the season for a global defense campaign for beleaguered Christians in the Middle East. Instead, the Western media purveys the false impression that Christians are under assault by Israelis….and intersectionalists have risen to smash Israel for Christmas.

A Chanukah-week trip to Dubai taught me that Israel and Jews are admired when they are strong and believing. Believe it or not, the Emiratis seem to understand – perhaps better than we do ourselves, sometimes – that loyalty to ancient heritage and national identity are a source of strength and authenticity.

Israel’s position never has been that a deal with Iran is impossible or undesirable. But abandoning America’s leverage over Iran and bringing the unctuous Europeans back into Iran policy-making – if that is what Biden does – will lead nowhere good.

The Emiratis and Bahrainis are paying the price for Israeli government malfeasance in handling Har HaBayit, the Temple Mount. The Wakf has been allowed to run wild, turning the holy site a base of hostile operations against Israelis, and now also against anybody who makes peace with Israel.

The president of the World Mizrachi movement, Kurt Rothschild, is one of the most indefatigable and loyal soldiers the Jewish People has been blessed with over the past century. How many philanthropists are there in the Jewish world whose worldview and involvements are so broad, and who are still active at age 100?

The Sand Curtain between Israel and the Arab world has fallen, but some of the world has difficulty rejoicing in the breakthrough. The Left assiduously is poking holes in the Abraham Accords and making sourpuss faces whenever the Roadrunner-fast advances in Gulf-Israel ties are mentioned.

Rather than elaborate on the incredible achievements and wide influence of the late, great, erudite and eloquent Rabbi Sacks, I offer a primer on his theology: His key concerns, beliefs, and recipes for a better future.

Policy initiatives for Netanyahu over the coming three-month transition period, together with Trump: Squeeze Iran harder, expel the UN from Jerusalem, curb Turkey’s destabilizing ambitions, expand the “Abraham Accords” circle of peace, and more.

Whether Trump is reelected or replaced by Biden, many of the Trump administration’s novel Mideast policies should be adopted by the next administration, even if Democrats shrink from crediting Trump for any breakthroughs. The principles are in America’s best interests as well as Israel’s.

Even if healed by Israeli doctors, the smarmy Palestinian propagandist will continue to slander Israel until his very last breath.

We must not let coronavirus tear Israeli society apart. We do not want to fall into America’s distrust doom loop.