Beltway Insider:Obama Cool on Netanyahu Win;Twin ISIS Attacks;Tunisia Tops 10K ISIS Fighters;Putin

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President Obama remains focused, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been elected to a historic fourth term, on achieving a comprehensive nuclear agreement that prevents Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon even at the expense of alienating Israel.

According to Gallup, President Obama's job approval, over the past week, decreased five percentage points to 43% of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President and those who disapprove of his effectiveness as President increased five percentage points to 52%. 

Obama Cool on Netanyahu Win

President Obama remained cool on the heels of what has been called an historic and unprecedented win for Israel as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu handily won a fourth term in the recent parliamentary elections.

As in all elections, the polls dictated the incumbent's decision on which issues would narrow the gap and secure the win. A divisive campaign led Netanyahu to walk into the highly dangerous minefield of the Palestine solution.

Unfortunately for the world, the contentious and conflict-ridden two state solution, a secure Israel alongside a sovereign and an independent viable Palestinian state, completely recognized and separate from interference by neighboring countries with fully enforceable territorial boundaries totally free and a continued fully sustainable Israel, free from threats, terror, assaults and attacks from the generational hatred that has long been the source of war between the two peoples, became the single determining issue in the parliamentary elections.

When the day was over, Benjamin Netanyahu, a member of the Knesset Party, won a majority of the seats and himself taking an unprecedented fourth term as Prime Minster.

The President and Israel

President Obama finally placed a congratulatory call to Netanyahu one day after the election, and reiterated the United States "deep and abiding partnership between both countries."

The President remained aloof and has remained determined to hold Prime Minister Netanyahu to the strict adherence of campaign rhetoric without remembering his own elections promises that have yet to be realized.

During the Presidential phone call the record released indicates Prime Minister Netanyahu agreed to continue consultations the United States on a range of regional issues, including the difficult path forward to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

"The unprecedented security cooperation between the United States and Israel, including our strong military and intelligence relationships, will continue.  And that relationship will continue because those relationships are essential to the security of the Israeli people, and the President is committed to continuing that important security cooperation," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.

Election Promises: Friend or Foe

As it all election, the United States and American citizens are well accustomed to empty election promises based on the heat of the moment.

The world however, with the sensitive issue of the Palestine and Israel independent states, have decided to hold Prime Minister Netanyahu to a higher standard. A standard that dictates the policies of the United States and does not allow the Israeli Prime Minster a moment to repair the change in position.

Prime Minster Netanyahu has made several revised statements regarding the two state solution the current version indicates he is endorsing a sustainable two state solution.

For those who are not directly invested in the decision or solution the continued concern over a permanent solution would be better served if the same concentrated effort were placed in a peaceful resolution.

The Two State Solution

"It has been the longstanding policy of the United States that a two-state solution is the best way to address this conflict, primarily because it is in the security interest of the Israeli people again, in the view of the United States. It is in the best interest of the Israeli people because it would be the best way to resolve the very legitimate security concerns that they have," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.

The Obama White House is clear on its preference for a two state solution as it does not have to be daily in the trenches with the people of Israel. A peace accord is the better solution.

"The policy of the United States for more than twenty years that a two-state solution is the goal of resolving the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinian people.  And that two-state solution has been pursuit of a democratic and Jewish state of Israel living side by side in peace and security with an independent and sovereign Palestinian state.  That has been the policy of the United States under both Democratic and Republican Presidents," Earnest said.

ISIS Surges with Double Attacks; Scores Dead/Injured

Islamic State of Iraq and Syria have launch an multiple structured attack over the past week selecting targets in predominately Muslin cities declaring war on the branches of moderate Islam that refuse to abandon life and submit to its leadership.

The first attack, in Tunis, the Capital of Tunisia, targeted tourists as they gathered to enter the National Bardo Museum killing 21 and injuring more than 44 as they were disembarking from tour buses to enter the Museum.

Tunisian President, Beji Caid Essebsi joined the growing coalition of government leaders around the world declaring his country is "at war against terrorism." 

President Obama spoke with Tunisia President Beji Caid Essebsi to offer condolences and support in the aftermath of the attack.  He extended sympathy, on behalf of all Americans, to the victims' families and loved ones. 

President Obama, according to a statement, "commended the Tunisian people for their commitment to standing strong and united in the face of terrorism, and reiterated that Tunisia's inclusive democracy is a powerful example in the region and beyond. Then affirmed the continued robust cooperation on counterterrorism and broader security issues with the Tunisian government and offered continued U.S. assistance and support in the ongoing investigation."

The gunman had posited themselves to secure maximum kill plucking the tourists off as the crossed the small walkway leading to the entrance of the historical building. Closed Circuit security camera show two gunman inside the building walking in an empty foyer armed with military issue weapons.

Tunisia's Growing Jihadist Population

President, Beji Caid Essebsi also revealed daunting numbers as more than 10,000 Tunisians are now part of a growing number of jihadists. His description is in line with the many other leaders who described a disgruntled band of the population predominately late teens and those in their twenties who are disenfranchised, unemployed, without prospects.

"Four thousand Tunisians have joined jihad, in Syria, Libya and elsewhere, and some 500 have already come back here, where they pose a threat. That is not to mention the five or six thousand others we have succeeded in preventing from leaving. To them," the President said in Aljazeera.com, "jihadism has worked."

Effective Containment

While some information has been widely circulated, the facts surrounding the capture and containment of a very fluid situation where decision where made in real time was not.

Two terrorists were killed on site before they had the chance to detonate suicide belts they were equipped with effectively stopping an even greater loss of life.

Arrest and Capture

More than 20 have been arrested in connection with the attack. Ten members of those arrested were considered directly involved in the planning of the attack. Two were killed at the scene and one escaped and is currently part of a larger manhunt.

Security Concerns

President Essebsi acknowledged a lapse in security noting the guards schedule to be on duty guarding both the Museum and Parliament were on a coffee break.

This action is not directly responsible for the attacks it did however enable those who planned and implemented it greater opportunity to maximize destruction.

Yemen Attack

ISIS has claimed responsibility for Friday's Mosque suicide bombing that killed more than 100 and injured scores more during midday prayers.

The attacks carried out by four suicide bombers has been called the worst mass civilian casualty in Yemen in some time.

ISIS has maintained the terror organization is responsible and Al-Qaeda is not.

Russian President Vladimir Putin Surfaces

Russian President Vladimir Putin has surfaced, allegedly still suffering with flu like symptoms, ending global speculation of his apparent demise.

Although now the focus is upon a belief the 62 year old former KGB attended the birth of his second child in an exclusive Switzerland clinic. The globally beleaguered leader, his paramour and alleged mother of his children, double gold Olympic medalist gymnast Alina Kabaeva, has been silent. The Kremlin has denied any involvement or relationship.

The Russian winter was exceptionally brutal as a powerful strain of influenza forced the closing of more than 1000 schools across the nation and affecting as many as 60 regions of the country. Many, including the President, suffered through the difficulties and discomforts of the powerful strain.

At no time during the nearly 15 days absence was power shifted from Putin to the next in line for the presidency, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who steps into Putin's shoes if the aging president becomes incapacitated in anyway.

WW II, The Pacific Theater, Iwo Jima, WACS Turn 70

World War II gave birth to what has become known as the Greatest Generation, Americans, from laymen to privilege, common men and women united by determination stepped up to answer the call for assistance in their country's time of need.

Iwo Jima, the iconic rush captured for posterity by a single photo taken by Joe Rosenthal on February 23, 1945 depicted five Marines and Navy corpsman raising the United States Flag, symbolizing the victory, the ground belongs to the United States.

The Battle of Iwo Jima, lasted 36 days, in which 7,000 marines lost their lives as 70,000 American troops fought against 20,000 Japanese. The dark moments of the war, after Pearl Harbor, in a foreign land against an enemy, as enemies are, sworn and dedicated to kill, produced lifetime wounds.

Some of those same men returned to Iwo Jima recently in a Reunion of Honor ceremony as the 70th Anniversary of the island battle deemed a major victory in the Pacific theater. The wounds not so deep, the scars of that time replaced by age.

The battle of Iwo Jima remains the core of the Marine Corps today.

Women's Army Corps

The War, the surprise December attack on Pearl Harbor, brought a nation to her knees, asleep at the helm, the entire Pacific fleet was lost on that December 7, 1941 Sunday morning.

As the call went out, women were left to take on traditional male employment, Rosie the Riveter, a symbol of the women who worked in the factory to guarantee the fighter planes, the military equipment would be ready, answered the call to be strength for the nation when strength was needed.

In 1943, Lucy Coffey, a supermarket worker in Dallas left behind her home and job to answer her country's call.  In the two years with the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, Sergeant Coffey served throughout the Pacific theater with distinction, earning two bronze stars. 

After the war, Sergeant Coffey continued to serve her country as an Army civilian, and the example set by her and her fellow WACs has inspired generations of patriots since. 

"When Vice President Biden and I had the honor of meeting Sergeant Coffey at the White House last year, she was America's oldest living woman veteran, and it was clear that the passage of time never dampened her patriotic love of country or her pioneering spirit.  As we remember her life and salute her service, our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and loved ones today," the President said.

The allies of the United States also joined during those same years, Queen Elizabeth, the current stoic monarch of the British Empire, a Princess during the darkest days of WWII, stayed and while London burned, the leader often criticized for her aloof manner worked as a mechanic fixing the engines of jeeps and trucks while serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

When the call went out our nations remained united then and now.

For more information on President Barack Obama: www.whitehouse.gov

Sources: Whitehouse.org, Wikipedia.com