The Saudi Crown Prince isn’t a democrat or a strategic savior, but don’t give the evil leaders of Turkey and Iran a victory by weakening US-Saudi ties.

Israel should not bear-hug the problematic Saudis, nor fall prey to over-enthusiastic fantasies. Don’t assume that MBS is the answer to Israel’s prayers in facing-down Iran. Don’t expect overt Saudi peace overtures to Israel, and beware inevitable demands for down-payments to the Palestinians as the up-front price for lukewarm Saudi openness to Israel.

Global callousness and double-standards, from Aleppo to Jerusalem: The UN has no time to investigate the bad things happening in Syria. It’s busy with more important stuff, like yesterday’s (aborted) UN Security Council session which was to tackle, once again, those dastardly Israeli settlements – the real impediments to peace and security in the Middle East (sic)!

The Iranians watch with amusement as Israeli and American experts debate Western strategic options in fighting the radical Islamists.

Could it be that the Turkish leader staged the so-called coup in order to legitimize an assault on his domestic opposition?

The Sykes-Picot frontiers have collapsed, creating an opportunity to logically redraw national borders in the Middle East. But will the US lead?

Eran Lerman’s agile mind is steering Israel towards new strategic thinking. He says that is blessed with exciting new alliance possibilities in both the eastern Mediterranean and the Arab world; but must have the wherewithal to withstand a long struggle with rejectionist and reactionary Palestinian leaders.

My selection of the best essays of the past year on Israel, the Mideast, Obama and Iran, the conflict with the Palestinians, Jewish life, and anti-Semitism.

Reflections on the perils of American infirmity, Iranian hegemony, Syrian misery, Arab hypocrisy, and Tikkun Olam orthodoxy.

New studies by generals Amidror and Kuperwasser, and incisive analysis by Michael Doran, suggest that the recipe for security in the crumbling Middle East and for renewal in the troubled US-Israel relationship is patience, vigilance and steadfastness.