Top US Analyst Identifies Major Threat to Israel and US Democracy

Renowned American journalist Thomas Friedman has identified the upcoming elections in both Israel and the United States as the most significant threat facing the democracies of both nations, rather than external adversaries like Iran or Russia. In a sharp op-ed for The New York Times, Friedman argues that the electoral outcomes could determine the future trajectory of democratic principles in both countries.

Friedman specifically points to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former US President Donald Trump as central figures whose political actions and potential returns to power pose a substantial risk. He suggests that the internal political dynamics and leadership choices in both Israel and the US are the primary challenges to their democratic systems.

The commentary, published on September 9, 2026, emphasizes that the internal health of these democracies is paramount and that the choices made by voters in the near future will have profound and lasting consequences.