Trump and Netanyahu: Two leaders united by self-interest, revenge, and fear - opinion

As I watched the returns being counted in this month's elections in Israel and the United States and cheered the deservedly big losses handed to each country's top leaders, I was struck again by how much alike they are and that they were overdue for retirement well before their current terms even began.That had a lot to do with why they ran for office. Despite an abundance of insincere and lofty campaign rhetoric, it was not to pursue a noble vision of where they sought to lead their nations. It was – and remains – personal. President Donald Trump repeatedly swore “retribution” against his enemies and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to stay out of prison. Both have worked zealously in pursuit of those goals. And so far it has worked.The courts are, in their paranoid view, a common enemy. Each has orchestrated vile campaigns against judges and investigators in his country, claiming they are involved in “witch hunts,” and both vowed revenge. With Democrats planning intensified oversight hearings next year, Attorney-General Todd Blanche (he was Trump's personal criminal lawyer when the former reality TV performer was convicted on 34 felony counts) threatened to launch federal investigations of Members of Congress.Vilifying the opposition is a shared value of both; delegitimizing foes by insults and personal attacks has come to define…