(Ari Shavit-Haaretz)............this wretched cabinet contains one apparatus worthy of special mention - the sextet. This is the supreme strategic team consisting of Netanyahu, Ehud Barak, Avigdor Lieberman, Moshe Ya'alon, Dan Meridor and Benny Begin. Little is known about the sextet. Nothing leaks from it. The sextet has (almost) no public relations and (almost) no politics. It functions in an orderly, responsible and businesslike manner. It meets several times a week, holds lengthy discussions and navigates Israel's foreign policy with professionalism that has not been seen for years.
Barak has been part of Israel's decision-making processes for about a quarter century. Privately, he says he has never seen such a thing. In complete contrast to the reckless way Ehud Olmert and Tzipi Livni conducted state affairs, every issue is now debated thoroughly and methodically. Unlike the daily mixture customary in Olmert and Amir Peretz's days between high strategy and petty politics, proceedings now are orderly.
Begin, Meridor and Ya'alon are the scholars. They do their homework, read every document and ask the right questions. Netanyahu and Barak are the captains. Surprisingly, they are displaying a sober view of reality, responsible management and judgment. Even Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is living up to his post. There is no similarity between the bullying public Yvet and the thinking Avigdor, who plays an important role in closed debates.
Barak has been part of Israel's decision-making processes for about a quarter century. Privately, he says he has never seen such a thing. In complete contrast to the reckless way Ehud Olmert and Tzipi Livni conducted state affairs, every issue is now debated thoroughly and methodically. Unlike the daily mixture customary in Olmert and Amir Peretz's days between high strategy and petty politics, proceedings now are orderly.
Begin, Meridor and Ya'alon are the scholars. They do their homework, read every document and ask the right questions. Netanyahu and Barak are the captains. Surprisingly, they are displaying a sober view of reality, responsible management and judgment. Even Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is living up to his post. There is no similarity between the bullying public Yvet and the thinking Avigdor, who plays an important role in closed debates.
....The significance is clear - the sextet will have to make fatal decisions in the near future. The world is talking about plan A (dialogue) and preparing for plan B (sanctions). But the dialogue is a joke and the sanctions could be too little, too late. If the United States doesn't come to its senses the dilemma will be in plan C (to bomb or not to bomb).