Summary of the Cipher Brief Interview with Norman Goff
This excerpt from a Cipher Brief interview with Norman Goff covers two main geopolitical hotspots: Israel/Palestine and Moldova.
Israel/Palestine:
Goff expresses concern about potential Israeli annexation of the West Bank, wich he believes could destabilize the region.
He highlights growing international support for Palestinian statehood, notably from European nations and within the UN security Council (including potential alignment with Russia and China). He warns that a violent escalation in the West Bank, especially if the IDF responds as it did in Gaza, would substantially increase pressure on Israel and could lead to a major crisis.
He notes the involvement of Israeli settlers (and reservists from those settlements) in the conflict, suggesting potential complicity in actions.
moldova:
Goff views Moldova as vulnerable to Russian interference and potential regime change.
He emphasizes Moldova’s strategic importance (bordering Ukraine) and its economic and military weakness.
He believes Russia aims to pull Moldova out of the anti-Russia coalition and into its sphere of influence.
He draws a comparison to recent close elections in Romania,highlighting Moldova’s even greater vulnerability to Russian information warfare.
* He issues a “three-alarm fire” warning,urging the West to provide economic and political support to the current Moldovan government.
Overall: The interview paints a picture of increasing geopolitical instability and the active efforts of Russia to expand its influence, while also highlighting potential flashpoints in the Middle East.