The Communist-Islamist Axis Rears Its Head in South Asia. Plus, Israel Plots Military Expansion in Gaza.

An unhappy marriage: Radical Islam and communism "are strange bedfellows," writes the Hudson Institute's Mike Watson. "Nonetheless, across much of Asia, an increasing number of countries are welcoming both," as this week's jihadist attack in Kashmir makes clear.

"Pakistan is the classic example of this nexus," Watson writes. "Its intelligence services allegedly supported the Taliban and many of the terrorist groups that attacked India in Kashmir for decades. This Easter marked the 10th anniversary of Pakistan signing up for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is one of the foundations of Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative. As Islamabad sees it, jihadists are just as useful for fighting India as the communists are for economic development."

"The good news is that Washington has cards to play. Pakistan is not likely to give up China or terrorism, but many of the Gulf states are trying to deradicalize Islam and cut off funding for the more harmful strands of the faith. Americans cannot lead that effort, but they can encourage it. And the more Gulf states diversify by investing in American companies, the closer our countries come."

"The Gulf states also rely on Washington for security. That is a powerful card to play—unless we give it up."

READ MORE: A Communist-Islamist Axis Puts India and America in Its Crosshairs

Send in the cavalry: When Hamas rejected U.S.-brokered efforts to extend a hostage-ceasefire deal, Israel reentered Gaza. Last week, Hamas rejected another proposal, and Israel is gearing up for a tougher fight.

The IDF "is preparing a significant expansion of its military activity in Gaza over the next several days," our Adam Kredo reports, one that is centered on "targeting Hamas's strongholds and seizing territory still held by the terror group, particularly in Rafah."

An intense campaign, the Israeli thinking goes, could change Hamas's thinking about a revamped deal. It could also deal an even stronger blow to the terror group's fighting ability, IDF spokesman Effie Defrin told reporters on Thursday. "The goals of these operations are clear for us," he said. "Return of our hostages … eliminate Hamas's ability to wage war and to control the Gaza Strip. And the day after … restore long-term security to the region."

READ MORE: Israel Eyes Military 'Escalation' in Gaza After Hamas Rebuffs Fresh Ceasefire Deal

An ode to Obama: When it comes to the former president "best known for his malignant narcissism and historically inept athleticism," the Free Beacon's Andrew Stiles writes, public opinion usually breaks down like this: Democrats love him, Republicans hate him. But recent reporting "suggests that both parties should seriously reconsider their feelings toward the wealthy Martha's Vineyard resident. That's because Obama is arguably even more responsible for Donald Trump's political success than Dr. Jill Biden."

First Obama inspired Trump to run for president by ruthlessly mocking him at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in 2011. Then he picked Joe Biden as his running mate—only to tap Hillary Clinton as his heir apparent, inspiring Biden to run in 2020, according to Chris Whipple's Uncharted: How Trump Beat Biden, Harris, and the Odds in the Wildest Campaign in History. When Biden won, Obama insisted he'd only serve one term, according to Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes's Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House, motivating Biden to stick it to his former boss. Then, when it all came crashing down, Biden quickly endorsed the candidate Obama had "deep misgivings" over: Kamala Harris.

"As a result," writes Stiles, "Democrats were stuck with a candidate who was arguably even worse than Hillary Clinton. Trump sailed to victory and even won the popular vote, paving the way for America's restoration and a new Golden Age. Thanks, Obama."

READ MORE: Why Democrats Should Hate (And Republican Should Love) Barack Obama, The Foundational MAGA Warrior

Away from the Beacon:

• It's White House Correspondents' Association dinner weekend in D.C., and beleaguered journos are cementing the occasion by… "holding on a little bit longer in hugs," reports Politico.
• Michelle Obama, speaking on her podcast, IMO, addressed her decision to skip Donald Trump's second inauguration: "It started with not having anything to wear," she said. "I walk around with the right dress, I travel with clothes … So I was like, if I'm not going to do this thing, I got to tell my team, I don't even want to have a dress ready, right?" Okay then.
• Maine governor Janet Mills, the top Dem recruit to take on Sen. Susan Collins (R.), said she's "not planning" to do so. "I feel fortunate to have this position," she told the Press Herald. "I don't have a PAC."
• Georgia's Jon Ossoff "strongly" supports impeaching Donald Trump, he said during a recent town hall but needs "a majority in the U.S. House" to make it happen.

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