Syria Spotlights Problematic International Law

by Mitchell Plitnick Russia is not staying silent as the US appears to be positioning itself for an attack on the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria. Defending its last key ally in the region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned… Continue Reading

Obama’s Subtle Message To Israel: You’re Not My Top Priority Anymore

by Mitchell Plitnick All was not as it seemed during President Barack Obama’s appearances in Jerusalem and Ramallah, where he addressed audiences of Israelis and Palestinians. On the surface, it looked like Obama was swearing fealty to Israel, and pledging… Continue Reading

Clanging Symbols: Obama’s 50 Hours in Israel

by Marsha B. Cohen US President Barack Obama has arrived in Israel. Greeted by Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu (who wore a blue tie that almost exactly matched Obama’s), the US president was quickly ushered to… Continue Reading

Obama and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: It’s Time to Act

by Emile Nakhleh via IPS News As President Barack Obama travels to Israel and Palestine in the spring, Washington’s unconditional backing of Israel could soon begin to harm U.S. interests and security in Arab Muslim countries. Recent Pew and Gallup… Continue Reading

Obama’s Near East Trip: Time to be Bold

by Robert E. Hunter The stakes in President Barak Obama’s impending visit to Israel, the West Bank and Jordan have risen steadily in recent days. It is taking take place, after all, almost immediately following Secretary of State John Kerry’s… Continue Reading