Both Putin and Netanyahu need to sustain their wars to stay in power
19 May 2025 - 13:42
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Picture: POOL via REUTERS/ABIR SULTAN
The world has forgotten how to deal with tyrants. History suggests overwhelming political and military force.
Our two main culprits, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, have much in common. Both need to sustain their respective wars to stay in power. Ceasefires and truces, let alone a loss of territory, would mean an end to their lives either politically or actually.
Both have gambled everything on winning but neither is close to achieving their goals and care little for lives lost. Putin should suffer a decisive military defeat along his offensive front involving a substantial capture of men and equipment. The US and Nato have the capacity to organise this but lack the will. He could be allowed to keep Crimea, without international recognition, in exchange for giving up all other occupied regions of Ukraine. Any hostile actions of the Russian Black Sea fleet would be met with immediate countermeasures.
It’s time for Netanyahu’s friends to be unfriendly. An immediate arms embargo should be implemented and his right-wing extremists sanctioned. Aid should be allowed into Gaza, including air drops, with or without Israeli permission. Diplomatic pressure needs to be stepped up. Israel should be left in no doubt that its senseless killing of Palestinians has to stop.
Bernard Benson Parklands
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Send us an email with your comments to letters@businesslive.co.za. Letters of more than 300 words will be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Writers should include a daytime telephone number.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
LETTER: Time to deal with tyrants
Both Putin and Netanyahu need to sustain their wars to stay in power
The world has forgotten how to deal with tyrants. History suggests overwhelming political and military force.
Our two main culprits, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, have much in common. Both need to sustain their respective wars to stay in power. Ceasefires and truces, let alone a loss of territory, would mean an end to their lives either politically or actually.
Both have gambled everything on winning but neither is close to achieving their goals and care little for lives lost. Putin should suffer a decisive military defeat along his offensive front involving a substantial capture of men and equipment. The US and Nato have the capacity to organise this but lack the will. He could be allowed to keep Crimea, without international recognition, in exchange for giving up all other occupied regions of Ukraine. Any hostile actions of the Russian Black Sea fleet would be met with immediate countermeasures.
It’s time for Netanyahu’s friends to be unfriendly. An immediate arms embargo should be implemented and his right-wing extremists sanctioned. Aid should be allowed into Gaza, including air drops, with or without Israeli permission. Diplomatic pressure needs to be stepped up. Israel should be left in no doubt that its senseless killing of Palestinians has to stop.
Bernard Benson
Parklands
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Send us an email with your comments to letters@businesslive.co.za. Letters of more than 300 words will be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Writers should include a daytime telephone number.
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