But a harsh awakening may lie in the near future as a result of Trump’s demurral. Across the Bering Sea, the Kremlin is taking this all in. Putin may not own blocks of Manhattan real estate, but he is certainly a force that even the great Artist of the Deal must reckon with. The 2.5 miles dividing US-owned Little Diomede Island and the Russian-owned Big Diomede Island is a short enough distance for the notorious dictator to sense intimidation, and he is surely rubbing his hands together with glee. The real question is — does Trump care?

An impending Russian attack on America does not seem plausible in the immediate future. Russia’s deeply crippled economy and severely wounded military cannot afford an offensive of such magnitude. The price to be paid for American apprehension will be coming out of the pockets of Ukraine, not the United States. And as for that, two years of schizophrenic messaging and policy drafting have made clear that Trump, once again, cares little to that effect. Brutal genocide against innocent Ukrainians is of minor concern when the tradeoff is a dismal beating at the poll booth.

This leaves a dismayed Netanyahu in a most awkward position. With Iranian leadership replenishing their venomous tongues with furious toxins, casting blame (justified or otherwise) for the recent nationwide protests squarely upon the shoulders of Israel, war between the two countries is a question of when, not if. With American apathy tugging at the contours of its thin veneer of strength, Israel will, once again, be compelled to confront its longstanding adversary unaided. And if the days between June 13 and June 24, 2025, have taught Israel anything, it is that twelve days of war against Iran is twelve days too many.

Another frightening thought has surely crossed Netanyahu’s mind. An Israeli show of force, coming on the heels of American reluctance, only serves to highlight the sort of intimidation that plagues Trump and his cohorts. A single phone call from Washington might express, if not exactly in those words, this very concern. Netanyahu will then be left with no choice but to launch an attack limited by firm US instructions.

IT is said that Netanyahu reviews the parshah with his son, Yair, each Shabbos. Whether or not their studies have taken them through Megillas Esther is unknown. Either way, a review of this last of the five Megillos is highly in order. Chazal debate whether Achashveirosh was a melech chacham or a melech tipesh — a wise king or a foolish king — and, in the name of eilu v’eilu divrei Elokim chayim, we must conclude that he was both. A single act can be both wise and foolish at the same time. Trump’s unwillingness to strike Iran may be wise in the short term while it garners political gain but, in the end, emboldening a bloodthirsty Iran can only lead to catastrophe. Whether a melech tipesh or a melech chacham, the Megillah’s takeaway message is the same: Don’t trust kings.

Israel’s faiblesse majeure has long been its marked dependence upon American support. In receiving the steady cascade of American dollars, it would serve them well to study their inscription. The phrase “In G‑d We Trust” reportedly stands as the guiding maxim of American ascendancy. Whether this is true in practice can be debated, but one thing is certain. Yisrael betach baHashem is a glaring reality rather than a mere maxim, and we are reminded of this every day.

The Purim story, and the story of our People as a whole, is one of unwavering bitachon in Hakadosh Baruch Hu.

And that, Mr. Twain, is the secret of our immortality.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 1101)