The latest truce between Israel and Lebanon, announced overnight Wednesday, came after Donald Trump blew up at Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, telling him he was “f**king crazy” for continuing his war there.
The details of that call were leaked in what fans of professional wrestling – which Trump loves to watch – might instantly recognise as kayfabe, the term used to describe how a staged fight is presented as real. Importantly, wrestlers draw on real-life disagreements and genuine anger to fuel the performance. Trump was genuinely angry with Netanyahu. It also suited both men to have that fact known.
The limited ceasefire, which is contingent on “a complete cessation” of attacks by the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, is another step in a series of carefully choreographed moves that Trump hopes will lead to a peace deal between the US and Iran.
Shorts
Trump called Netanyahu on Monday to complain that his plans to bomb the Lebanese capital, Beirut, would destroy any chance of that deal. Tehran had threatened to pull out of negotiations in protest at Israel’s continued offensive against Hezbollah. “Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this,” Trump was quoted as saying. “What the f**k are you doing?”
