Total humiliation: Iran war marks the beginning of the end for Netanyahu - opinion

The war with Iran might ultimately be defined not by its military operations or initial euphoria, but as the period when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's most significant political asset, his perceived mastery of the U.S.-Israel relationship, crumbled. For years, Netanyahu cultivated an image of being uniquely capable of navigating American politics and maintaining Israel's position as a key global power.

This carefully constructed image has been jarringly undermined by recent interactions with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has publicly addressed Netanyahu in a manner suggesting subordination, openly claiming authority over Israeli actions and privately expressing frustration with the prime minister. This contrasts sharply with decades of U.S. presidents, across different administrations, who maintained the facade of a relationship between sovereign allies, even during significant disagreements.

While Israel has always relied on U.S. support, previous presidents avoided portraying the nation as a client state. The current dynamic, particularly with Trump, who was once presented by Netanyahu's supporters as proof of his diplomatic prowess, represents a significant departure. This is amplified by the Israeli right's strong negative reaction to former President Biden's comparatively mild actions during the Israel-Hamas War, such as briefly delaying weapons shipments and demanding civilian protection plans.

In contrast to Biden's approach, which never framed Israel as a vassal, Trump's direct assertions of control have been met with relative silence from Netanyahu's camp. This perceived humiliation is compounded by the war's strategic outcomes, which increasingly appear to be a failure. The conflict, initially presented as a historic opportunity to reshape the Middle East, eliminate nuclear threats, and weaken Iran's influence, has yielded results that fall short of these ambitious goals.