December 2010

Ha’aretz finds the gray lining in every silvery cloud

By Barry Rubin JERUSALEM–Israelis are known for being gloomy about the political situation. In fact, they generally enjoy criticizing things (themselves above all). As a result, Israel’s enemies often make the mistake of underestimating the country’s ability to endure, struggle, and prevail. A typical example came in a recent Arab newspaper article that claims the […]

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Barry Shaw, Middle East

In advising Israel, ‘Economist’ learned nothing about dangers of appeasement

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — While I do not claim expertise in the history or politics of Great Britain, my impression is that the Munich Agreement of 1938, involving Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and Hitler (” . . . peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time.”) is an icon of shame

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, August 19, 1955, Part 2

Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff As the Psychologist Sees You Southwestern Jewish Press, August 19, 1955, Page 4 By Irving R. Stone More Travel Observations It took but a few minutes after leaving the Tokyo Airport to give further evidence that this was to be a broadening and enlightening experience for me. The

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Adventures in SD History, San Diego County

President Obama’s appointment of ambassador undeserved by Syria

By Samara Greenberg   WASHINGTON, D.C.  — President Barack Obama bypassed the U.S. Senate Wednesday  and appointed four new U.S. ambassadors to fill empty envoy positions in Azerbaijan, Syria, Turkey, and the Czech Republic. Lawmakers had previously blocked or refused to consider the nominees’ confirmations for months. The appointees can now serve without Senate confirmation until the

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Travel and Food

Israel’s Qesem Cave Man may debunk theory that man’s origins were in Africa

TEL AVIV (Press Release)― It has long been believed that modern man emerged from the continent of Africa 200,000 years ago. Now Tel Aviv University archaeologists have uncovered evidence that Homo sapiens roamed the land now called Israel as early as 400,000 years ago ― the earliest evidence for the existence of modern man anywhere

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Science, Medicine, & Education

Lebanon’s Al Akhbar pulls the wool over New York Times’ eyes

By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel –Since I have written about how easily fooled Western politicians, officials, journalists, and academics are by Middle Eastern radicals, I’m going to try to provide examples in a regular feature called Dopes of the Day. This is a good starting point. (Be sure to read this article to the end

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Middle East, USA

Israel’s attention divided between Katzav rape conviction and Avi Cohen organ transplant controversy

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Should we focus on a president who is a convicted rapist, or the capacity of the judiciary to try him in isolation from a hyped media and produce what appears to be a thoroughly argued decision? It took more than an hour for the head judge to read it. The procedure has

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Adventures in San Diego Jewish History, August 19, 1955, Part 1

Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff No Visas Needed Southwestern Jewish Press, August 19, 1955, Page 1 The Consulate General of Israel is pleased to announce that as of August 1, American citizens will no longer be required to apply for tourist visas at an Israel Consulate. The visas will be granted at the

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Adventures in SD History, San Diego County

Rothman asks Sarkozy to reconsider anti-tank missile sale to Lebanon

WASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release)– Representative Steve Rothman (D-NJ), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittees on Defense, and State and Foreign Operations, sent the following letter to French President Nicolas Sarkozy requesting that France reconsider its reported plans to sell anti-tank missiles to the Lebanese Armed Forces. The full text of the letter: President Nicolas Sarkozy

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Travel and Food