It’s disgusting that the limits of liberal empathy amount to: “Obviously it’s good and right that we should commit atrocities, but I’m so very concerned that the way in which we pursue short term atrocities might inspire backlash that would strategically disadvantage our shared goal of committing long term atrocities.”

This was the same shit they pulled during the Iraq war. They didn’t think the war was wrong, they just had “deep concerns“ about how it was being run. They’re upset because they wish it was their finger on the trigger of the gun.

This is reminiscent of watching a frat guy scream at his friends to hold him back as he pretends to try to charge the bouncer twice his size

Yea pretty much. I had the same concerns as the author of this columnist.

If it becomes too hard for to justify Israel’s actions, and Saudi / Turkey will fulfil a similar role, then there will either be a break with the US or Israel will be seen as a liability.

Commitments are less than worthless. They’ve ignored them before and it is western modus operadus to do so. From the US ignoring treaties with the native Americans to the Minsk Agreements. This liberal is just saying to make some false promises they can renege on later after slow walking them.