Trump Meets with Netanyahu Amidst Hectic Holiday Window
By Paul Lebowitz in Politics News
Published:
- President Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago property on the heels of his weekend meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
- Trump also had a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin after the meeting with Zelensky
- The ongoing pressure offensive against Venezuela is also on the docket, as are the U.S. strikes in Syria and Nigeria
- Will any of the ongoing global challenges result in any world leaders leaving their positions within the next year? If so, who?
President Trump meets with Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago
President Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, as Trump continues a hectic holiday period of foreign relations. Many expected Netanyahu to pressure the US President to bolster support for Israel, though it seems Trump aims to reach the next phase of the Gaza peace plan very quickly. Phase two of the peace plan includes Hamas disarmament and a further withdrawal by Israel, as well as the early work to reconstruct Gaza and establish its interim government.
Speaking to the media following the meeting, Trump said he and Netanyahu “don’t agree on the West Bank 100%, but we’ll come to a conclusion.” And added that, “He (Netanyahu) will do the right thing.”
The prolonged status of the Israel-Hamas conflict has led many to question the future of Prime Minister Netanyahu, as well as other world leaders facing legitimate scrutiny. Kalshi prediction markets offer the ability to trade and potentially profit from taking positions on world leaders to be ousted before 2027. The Kalshi referral code provides a terrific sign up bonus for new users to get started buying and selling event contracts.
Odds for World Leaders Out Before 2027
When making a selection, the determination as to whether it is “yes” will hinge on the leader announcing they will leave or actually leaving prior to Jan. 1, 2027. The source must be the leader themselves, an office or organization where they hold office, or a reputable news outlet such as the New York Times, the Associated Press, Bloomberg News, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and others.
For new users who register on Kalshi, there is a $10 Sign Up Bonus once they have completed $100 in trades.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel
Prime Minister Netanyahu is under significant pressure at home for his continuing campaign against Palestinians in Gaza, with the justification that Hamas is reconstituting itself. The ceasefire seems to be in name only, with continuing attacks from both sides. President Trump is a steadfast supporter of Israel, but has signaled that he wants this conflict to end.
At age 76, Netanyahu has been forced out of power multiple times and inevitably returns. A major obstacle for him is the movement to include the ultra-Orthodox Jews in the country’s requirement to join the military. His own Likud party is against this change. If an exemption is not enacted, there could be elections in 2026. Given how despised he has become, it’s difficult to envision him staying in power if that were to occur.
Ali Khamenei, Iran
The combination of Khamenei’s age (87 in April) and Israeli strikes wiping out swaths of his major advisers and military men has made him the favorite to leave office sometime in 2026. With Iran’s control over the media, it is difficult to gather accurate information as to what is really going on behind the scenes.
Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela
President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela is trying to stay in power as Trump announced the destruction of a “big facility.” No details were given, but the U.S. strikes have been focusing on alleged drug boats and production facilities.
The problem with regime change in Venezuela is that the replacement is unlikely to be a bastion of democratic principles. Autocrats are generally replaced by a different type of autocrat. The next autocrat might be more agreeable to U.S. interests.
Still, it does not sound as if Trump wants to remove Maduro. And Maduro certainly does not want to surrender his power and face U.S. prosecution for indictments in 2020 for terrorism, drugs, and weapons charges. He has a bounty on his head of $25 million if he is arrested and/or convicted. More than 50 countries refuse to acknowledge his status as head of state.
Keir Starmer, United Kingdom
The next general election is not expected to take place until 2029. But Starmer’s Labour Party is struggling. Younger people are increasingly opting for Reform UK (on the right) and the Greens (on the left). Conservatives are in about the same sinking boat as Labour.
Starmer insists he will lead Labour for the next general election. It would take a catastrophe for him to be out of power within the next year.
Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine
The war in Ukraine is showing no signs of slowing despite Zelensky showing flexibility in trying to negotiate with President Putin and Russia to put a stop to the fighting. As frustrated as Trump has been with Zelensky, he is clearly not happy with Putin either.
It’s been glossed over that Ukraine was supposed to have a presidential election in the spring of 2024. But because of the ongoing war, martial law was put in effect, and the elections were canceled.
As the negotiations proceed at a snail’s pace and lingering questions as to whether Putin is planning to negotiate in good faith to end the war, it is certainly possible that Putin, on a whim, decides that a precondition to an agreement would be Zelensky leaving office.
Paul Lebowitz is a novelist, columnist, social commentator, and the author of eight published books on baseball – one novel and seven baseball guide/previews. He covers sports, politics, and pop culture. Paul graduated from Hunter College with a degree in English. He lives in New York City.
