In an interview for a story I wrote about Barack Obama's impact on Israel politics in America, Anthony Weiner suggested that the president's attention-getting statements about settlements weren't the real issue. The main point of contention among local Israel supporters, he said, may end up being Obama's position on aide to Gaza. "He says something Read More
"He Read More
The Read More
Farfur, Read More
The Middle East peace process, frozen to the point of lifelessness, may be starting to thaw. After the swearing in over the weekend of a Palestinian unity government, cracks quickly began to appear in the Western diplomatic boycott to which the Palestinians have been subjected since Hamas’ victory in last year’s elections. Norway’s deputy foreign Read More
In Iraq and in America, frustration turns to anger and despair. In America, the frustration grows even among those least engaged in what is going on. The years pass and nothing changes but the numbers of the dead and wounded. They may not know that they are still being lied to, but they see George Read More
TEL AVIV—It’s probably the most clichéd adjective used to describe the recent Israeli-Palestinian truce. And yet, the “fragile” cease-fire has proven robust enough to survive 15 rockets fired from Gaza into Israel and the killing of four Palestinians by Israeli troops in the West Bank. But that’s not because Israelis and Palestinians are on the Read More
TEL AVIV—It’s probably the most clichéd adjective used to describe the recent Israeli-Palestinian truce. And yet, the “fragile” cease-fire has proven robust enough to survive 15 rockets fired from Gaza into Israel and the killing of four Palestinians by Israeli troops in the West Bank. But that’s not because Israelis and Palestinians are on the Read More
Jimmy Carter's interviewers have repeatedly challenged him about Hamas: Why should Israel talk to Hamas when Hamas doesn't recognize Israel's right to exist? Carter answers by describing the democratic elections that brought Hamas to power. He ought to cite the insight of his former NSA Zbig Brzezinski, who said on public television that as Read More
A lot of people have had trouble posting comments. I apologize, we're trying to work out the bugs. If you're ticked about it, email me and I'll get it on the blog. Here is something that Richard Silverstein, whose progressive Jewish blog I recommend (Tikun Olam, http://www.richardsilverstein.com) tried to say about the question of Israel Read More
GAZA—Ahmed Yousef got his doctorate in political science from Missouri’s Columbia State University. But to describe the root of the Palestinians’ Hamas-led government’s paralysis, Mr. Yousef, the political aide to Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, borrowed a metaphor from the world of sports. As diplomats, explained Mr. Yousef, the rookie Islamic militants are out of shape Read More
GAZA—Ahmed Yousef got his doctorate in political science from Missouri’s Columbia State University. But to describe the root of the Palestinians’ Hamas-led government’s paralysis, Mr. Yousef, the political aide to Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, borrowed a metaphor from the world of sports.
As diplomats, explained Mr. Yousef, the rookie Islamic militants are out of shape Read More
Watching the President of the United States try to fulfill his responsibilities at an international summit is a sobering experience these days. To observe George W. Bush talking trash, chewing with his mouth open and demonstrating his ignorance of geography marks still another step down in the continuing decline of U.S. prestige. It’s the diplomatic Read More
Watching the President of the United States try to fulfill his responsibilities at an international summit is a sobering experience these days. To observe George W. Bush talking trash, chewing with his mouth open and demonstrating his ignorance of geography marks still another step down in the continuing decline of U.S. prestige. It’s the diplomatic Read More
Tonight on the PBS NewsHour (yes I lead a boring life), Zbigniew Brzezinski made a brilliant analogy. He said that when the Carter Administration came to power, Brzezinski, national security adviser, dealt with the new Likud government and its Prime Minister Menachem Begin (who in the days of the British Mandate had led terror activities). Read More
