TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) - “Donald Trump is in the middle of a battle to save his presidency from the Deep State's attempt to destroy him. The only force powerful enough to stop the Deep State is the Israel Lobby in combination with the millions of Christian Zionists who voted for him in the 2016 election. This explains his decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on one level. On another level, God is using Trump to bring about the collapse of the American Empire,” E. Michael Jones, a political analyst in the US state of Indiana, told the Tasnim News Agency.
Eugene Michael Jones is an American writer, former professor, media commentator and the current editor of Culture Wars magazine.
Following is the full text of the interview.
Tasnim: On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem (al-Quds) as the Israeli capital despite global warnings. Defying warnings from around the world, Trump announced his decision. Why?
Jones: Donald Trump is in the middle of a battle to save his presidency from the Deep State's attempt to destroy him. The only force powerful enough to stop the Deep State is the Israel Lobby in combination with the millions of Christian Zionists who voted for him in the 2016 election. This explains his decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on one level. On another level, God is using Trump to bring about the collapse of the American Empire. Countries like Germany have lost confidence in the United States leadership and are now considering other options, like closer ties with Russia. This has already happened with Turkey. Their purchase of Russian missiles means that they are de facto no longer in NATO.
Tasnim: Saudi Arabia has blasted Donald Trump's shift on Jerusalem as “irresponsible”. How much do you think the Saudi regime is sincere in its stance? How do see the kingdom’s role in the Trump’s decision?
Jones: Trump did not clear this decision with the Saudis. In fact, his decision undid the alliance he made with them earlier this year when he visited Saudi Arabia. His decision put an already weakened Saudi Arabia in an untenable position vis a vis the rest of the Islamic world. Trump's timing was especially unfortunate for Saudi Arabia, which had already announced that it was in an alliance with Israel. Trump's impulsive move weakened the Saudis at a crucial moment as Mohammed bin Salman is trying to consolidate power.
Tasnim: It seems that the man behind all of Trump’s Middle East decisions is Jared Kushner, his son-in-law and senior adviser. What do you think about him?
Jones: Kushner is by family ties a hardcore Zionist. I don't think he was consulted in this move. Or if he was I don't think Trump would have taken his advice if he had advised against the move. Trump needs support against the FBI investigation, and, as I said, the Israel Lobby and the Evangelicals are the only groups powerful enough to provide it.
Source: Tasnim