Will Ehud Barak be leaving US Politics too?

by Marsha B. Cohen Ehud Barak is retiring from Israeli politics in 2013, after two decades. Or so he says. A career officer in the Israel Defense Force (IDF) before entering politics, Barak’s first mention in the US press appears… Continue Reading

A Bird’s-Eye View of the Middle East

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

U.S. Policy for Direct Talks With Iran

In its most explicit statement so far, the Obama administration — via Secretary of  State Hillary Clinton — has made clear that Washington wants bilateral talks with Iran. Speaking at the Brookings Institution’s Saban Center last night she said in… Continue Reading

AIPAC Directs Congressional Punishment of Palestinians After UN Vote

The US government has swept into action in the aftermath of the Palestinians’ overwhelming victory at the United Nations on Thursday. No less than three amendments were brought in the Senate, to be attached to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)… Continue Reading

For a Republican SecState

I’m pleased that President Obama is reportedly enlarging his list of possible candidates for senior national-security posts to Republicans, notably former Sen. Chuck Hagel, as reported by Josh Rogin, the Cable Guy, on yesterday. As has been pointed out by… Continue Reading