With the likelihood of a government shutdown imminent on Tuesday, President Barack Obama faces two of the most challenging days he has ever faced in his four plus years in the White House!
A government shutdown could lead to economic chaos and the return of the Great Recession of 2008 and since.
But additionally, there is likely to be fireworks on Monday between Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is coming to the United Nations to give a speech, warning of the growing threat of a nuclear Iran, and having made clear his discontent that the President made a phone call to Iran’s President as he was leaving New York to return to Teheran.
This first direct contact between Iran and the United States since the Iranian Revolution was a bold move, but not well received in the American Jewish community and in Israel’s governing circles, as well as many Israeli citizens.
This President has not had a break from crisis, and a lot is riding on the success of Obama’s goals of resolving the economic crisis with the Republicans in Congress, and to move ahead on Mideast peace without alienating Israel and the Jewish community at home!