The matchless Nelson Report has updated the news about the prospective appointment of Dennis Ross as Special Envoy for Iran, and the update is even more concerning than the original report. Chris Nelson apparently got hold of an internal memo from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP) in which its director, Robert Satloff, outlines Ross’ much-expanded job description. It reads as if Ross will be a sort of Middle East “czar”. Here it is, as quoted in the Report:
To: Members of the Board of Trustees
From: Chairman Fred Lafer, President Howard Berkowitz, and Executive
Director Robert Satloff
Re: Ambassador Dennis Ross to Join Obama AdministrationWe are delighted to share the news that Ambassador Dennis Ross, counselor and Ziegler Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute, has accepted an invitation to join the Obama administration as ambassador-at-large and senior advisor to Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton.
In that seventh-floor job, designed especially for him, Ambassador Ross
will be the secretary’s top advisor on a wide range of Middle East issues,
from the Arab-Israeli peace process to Iran. Ambassador Ross will not
reprise his previous role as special Arab-Israeli peace envoy, a post that
will be held by someone else; rather he will be working closely with both
the special envoy and the secretary. Ambassador Ross is expected to take
his post immediately after inauguration.We know you share our pride in Ambassador Ross’s achievements, which
reflect not only his outstanding contribution to U.S. foreign policy, but
also the Institute’s unique role in supporting those who can advance peace
and security in the Middle East.
Needless to say, if the memo is genuine (and I have no doubt that it is) and accurate, Ross’ appointment marks a major setback for those who had hoped that Obama might bring some fresh thinking to Middle East policy, particularly vis-a-vis Iran and Israel-Palestine.
P.S. Haass has vigorously denied that he has been offered the Israel-Palestinian portfolio, although I’ve heard the denials are not entirely persuasive. If Haass indeed does not get it, then Dan Kurtzer, who served as a close adviser to Obama during the campaign, would be considered the most likely choice at this point, although Martin Indyk would, I imagine, be far more compatible with Ross. Indeed, neither Kurtzer nor Haass may find the job particularly inviting if they have to report through Ross to Clinton and the White House.
Dear fellow Jim Lobe friends: Much resentment here? If “the Lobby” is as powerful as all of you seem to agree, wouldn’t it be necessary to act extra carefully? Wouldn’t you need to first appease them, so they do not use their power against everything you do?
I decided to side with the cockeyed optimist, completely against my usual pessimist strain: The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Mind you only a small move away from Bush & his court, would completely satisfy me. I didn’t expect more. A state is a sluggish machinery, resistant to fast change, I guess. Remembering the vicious anti-Obama campaign, again: He better is very, very careful.
Kraut
Unfortunately the Germans didnt stop being Nazis until their leaders were hanged. I fear the Isreali Nazis will have same end but not before lots more people are murdered.
I think the whole world is waiting to see which way Obama will jump. We hope and pray he restores Americas standing in the world by really addressing human rights issues and democracy and not become a complete nutjob continuing failed and foolish policies. Charges should be issued against all violations and violators of human rights and unfortunatly for Obama this means arresting a few senior Isrealis for war crimes.
With all their surveillance kit – supplied by the US it should be relatively easy to get convictions.
Aw, come on! When the economy is crashing at home, start another war!
Exactly. Why not co-opt some of those who would otherwise oppose you?Why must we conclude that nothing will change with this administration, based on a couple of appointments? Mind you, I’ve never thought that Obama would do the things necessary to rearrange our Mideast policy along rational lines. No doubt about it, the Lobby remains powerful; we aren’t yet at a point where a majority of Americans see the light. And we may never get there. But let’s not despair when the new administration hasn’t even taken office.
Amazing how the story of the Liberty has been buried all these years. Bamford’s book has the best, most comprehensive account, but how many people have read it? And of course the NYT reviewer made a point of taking issue with this one aspect of the book, while praising the rest of it. I wrote about the Liberty in passing last year, and sure enough indignant readers wrote in to the magazine protesting that I was slandering Israel.
Perhaps, just perhaps the idea is to put those people who would most oppose the direction Obama wants to go, to put them right under his nose where he can direct and steer them towards the conclusions he desires. It may be a brilliant move intended to completely disarm the opposition.