As readers of this blog know, I have the highest regard for Amb. Chas Freeman (ret.) not only as one of this country’s most accomplished diplomats, but also as a extraordinarily insightful analyst of current global developments and their impact on… Continue Reading
For an extraordinary bird’s eye view of U.S. relations with the Greater Middle East, the impact of the “Arab Spring” and the increasing isolation of Israel, among other subjects, a lecture delivered last week by Amb. Chas Freeman (ret.) to… Continue Reading
All four of the ambassadors who received recess appointments from President Obama were considered fully qualified by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who approved their nominations and sent them to the full Senate for confirmation. All have been kept from taking up their diplomatic posts on by unilateral actions on the part of one or two senators, who prevented their appointments from reaching the Senate floor for the votes that almost certainly would have confirmed them. Continue Reading
The U.S. media has been quick to accept that Arab countries share a hawkish view on Iran after the release of the WikiLeaks cables. The New York Times was at the front of this push to portray Arab leaders as… Continue Reading
Chas Freeman, who served as assistant secretary of defense from 1993 to 1994 and ambassador to Saudi Arabia during the Persian Gulf War, had a letter in Saturday’s New York Times which explains why the WikiLeaks cables are good for… Continue Reading