# Could ME Leaders Be This Cynical?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-me-leaders-be-this-cynical/722072>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [June 9, 2015, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-me-leaders-be-this-cynical/722072 "2015-06-09T15:57:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-me-leaders-be-this-cynical/722072/1 "2015-06-09T15:57:05Z")

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I have been thinking about Iran and Israel-it struck me that most of what Netanyahu and the Iranian leaders speak about is simply to project a false image. When Iran releases statements about how Israel will be destroyed, is a “imperialist state”, etc. (and Israel replies with warnings about an aggressive Iran); could the real deal be 180 degrees opposite? Suppose (in private) Netanyahu tells his Iranian counterpart:“I understand you are going to denounce us and lambaste the USA (the “Great Satan”); pile it on, and make a good show”. “I will also talk about how Iran (you) is planning to take over the ME, and how dangerous your atomic bomb program is”.  
Then they both talk about mutual issues, and how to weather the fall of Assad, etc.  
In other words, is the fiery talk all smoke and mirrors?

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**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-me-leaders-be-this-cynical/722072/2 "2015-06-09T16:10:30Z")

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They both use overblown rhetoric to fire up their own population. Why would we need to think it’s secretly coordinated?

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**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-me-leaders-be-this-cynical/722072/3 "2015-06-09T16:13:56Z")

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It’s like the WWE; they all have their set-pieces of schtick and moves and takedowns. They all know how the fight’s going to go.

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**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-me-leaders-be-this-cynical/722072/4 "2015-06-09T16:25:38Z")

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The leaders understand that the hyperbole & histrionics are for the TV cameras, and shouldn’t be taken seriously.

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**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-me-leaders-be-this-cynical/722072/5 "2015-06-09T22:34:17Z")

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The difference is that Iran has a proxy force available in Hamas.