By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The unique opportunity of an Israeli/American political scientist, even of the retired kind, is to observe two heads of government who seem to be on the edge or beyond what is customary or possible. Barely a week into his presidency, we read of efforts to impeach Donald Trump, or to
Trump, Netanyahu seem ‘beyond the edge’ Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), U.S. Representative Christ Stewart (R-UT), and U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-NY), introduced a bipartisan bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award bestowed by U.S. Congress, to the late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. (Read legislation online). “This year
The Wandering Review By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — Since the film awards season is upon us, it is time to announce a list of the films that impressed me the most during 2016. I always caution my readers that I have all of the Jewish-themed documentary and feature film released last year, including many that
Top 10 Jewish Movies of 2016 Read More »
International, Jewish History, Lawrence Baron, Theatre, Film & BroadcastWASHINGTON — A member of Congress from California is asking for a full accounting of who was consulted in the drafting of President Donald Trump’s ban on travel and immigration to the U.S. by citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries. Rep. Scott Peters and 70 House Democrats have asked for a report from the Government
Rep. Scott Peters asks for report on how Trump’s entry ban was written, implemented Read More »
International, Middle East, USAThe Senate voted Wednesday afternoon to confirm Rex Tillerson as the nation’s 69th secretary of state, officially making the former ExxonMobil CEO America’s top diplomat and chief foreign policy adviser to President Trump. In a 56-43 vote, Republicans picked up three Democratic votes to pierce the minority’s hoped-for united front against Mr. Trump’s unconventional nominee:
Rex Tillerson confirmed as secretary of state by Senate Read More »
USAFrench presidential candidate Francois Fillon and his wife spent five hours being questioned by national financial police on Monday, and now there are fresh corruption allegations against the couple. Le Canard Enchainé, whose first report triggered the enquiry, has more to say in its latest edition, adding the Fillon children as recipients of fake jobs
Fillon sinks further under new corruption allegations Read More »
InternationalWASHINGTON — The White House badly wants Jeff Sessions to take the helm of the Justice Department, but Democrats are mounting an all-out war to stop him from becoming attorney general for as long as they can. It’s likely Sessions will be confirmed by the Senate late next week. But every day of delay is
The White House needs Jeff Sessions, but Democrats vow a fight Read More »
USABERKELEY, Calif. — After a series of embarrassing sexual harassment scandals at the University of California, Berkeley, a campus committee is recommending major changes to how Cal investigates and disciplines faculty members accused of misconduct, from giving victims a greater say in the outcome to eliminating a “three-year rule” that set a time limit on
Committee: UC Berkeley must change how it sanctions faculty accused of sex harassment Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, USAPresident Donald Trump’s travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries does not target the Muslim faith, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) foreign minister said Wednesday. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan said the ban, which triggered protests throughout the U.S. over the weekend, is an “American sovereign decision.” “There are attempts to give the impression that this
United Arab Emirates Says Trump’s Travel Ban Isn’t Anti-Muslim Read More »
Middle East, USACHICAGO — Violence in Chicago remains stubbornly high as the city recorded about the same amount of homicides and shootings in January as the year-earlier period, according to statistics released Wednesday by the Police Department. Much of the violence remains centered in three police districts — Englewood on the South Side and Harrison and Austin
Violence in Chicago still stubbornly high; Trump reacts again Read More »
USAWASHINGTON — The White House put Iran “on notice” Wednesday over what it said were a series of provocations, giving Americans — and the world — a chance to see how President Donald Trump handles a foreign crisis. Top aides would not rule out military action. In a toughly worded warning, national security adviser Michael
Trump is on the brink as US warns Iran over missile tests Read More »
International, Middle East, USALeo Goldberger escaped Nazi-occupied Denmark at the last possible moment: in the dead of night, on a fishing boat to Sweden. He remembers his time in Sweden with fear and uncertainty, but the Swedes made a home for him for the duration of the war. When the war ended, his family was welcomed back to
For a Jewish World War II refugee, Trump’s immigration restrictions are ‘unimaginable’ Read More »
International, Jewish History, USAIt has been just 12 days since Donald Trump has assumed the U.S. presidency, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has already had all its grants and contracts frozen and its employees have been banned from talking to the press. If history is any indication, though, things could get a whole lot worse for the
Neil Gorsuch, his Late Mother and Threats to the EPA Read More »
USAThe Trump travel ban could have far wider effects than previously understood for foreigners who waited years as State Department officials reviewed their immigrant visa applications. The new policy, disclosed yesterday, means that immigrants hoping to join their families in the United States from the affected countries may have to start the lengthy process all
A New State Department Order to Revoke Visas Could Have Far-Reaching Effects Read More »
International, Middle East, USA