By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — There’s some controversy about President Barack Obama’s Passover message. The key passage is this: “The story of Passover…instructs each generation to remember its past, while appreciating the beauty of freedom and the responsibility it entails. This year that ancient instruction is reflected in the daily headlines as we see […]
President Obama’s Passover problem Read More »
Jewish Religion, USAWASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release) – Congressman Bob Filner recently announced his support for legislation to honor the memory of Jewish Chaplains who have died while on active duty in the Armed Forces. “Jewish chaplains have provided invaluable service to members of our military from various faiths for over 65 years,” said Congressman Filner. “Our country owes
Campaign to honor Jewish chaplains at Arlington gains Filner’s support Read More »
USA
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — It’s an old Jewish joke about holidays – “They tried to kill us, they failed, let’s eat.” In a more serious vein, we read at the Passover Seder, “Let all who are hungry come and eat.” Observant Jews give charity before holidays to ensure that people have what they
The meal that’s much more than a dinner Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USABy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — How sadly ironic. A few years ago, the two previous U.S. presidents were trying to get Gulf Arab states to do more to foster an Arab-Israeli peace settlement and to stand up against Iran. They didn’t respond very much. Now they are ready for the battle and the current
Saudi Arabia, Gulf States: Iran Is Attacking Us Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — Events in the Middle East have moved so quickly that one almost needs a daily scorecard to keep up. This article will try to give a basic picture of what has, and hasn’t, changed. Have Iran and revolutionary Islamists gained in recent months? Yes, since Islamism is advancing at the
U.S. loses ground to Iran in Middle East Read More »
Barry Shaw, Middle East, USABy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — Everything has been so predictable. Designated “moderate” and U.S.-backed Egyptian leader Muhammad ElBaradei has made a profoundly shocking statement that should change U.S. policy overnight, show how disastrous Obama Administration policy was, and mark the beginning of the coming electoral defeat for the president. But presumably nothing will change. ElBaradei,
Obama-backed Egyptian candidate threatens war on Israel Read More »
Middle East, USALawrence puts his hand in the flame of a match after lighting a cigarette. POTTER: Ow! It damn well hurts. LAWRENCE: Certainly, it hurts! POTTER: Well, what’s the trick then? LAWRENCE: The trick, William Potter, is not minding that it hurts. –“Lawrence of Arabia,” the film. By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel –Engaging in Middle East
How The Bizarre World of Middle East Studies Messes Up U.S. Foreign Policy Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel –As of today, one can say that the revolution in Syria must be taken seriously. Not only were the demonstrations large but also they had spread to additional parts of the country and involved different religious and ethnic communities. Of course, there is a big difference between Egypt and Syria.
Syrian Revolution Takes Off. Where is American Support? Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — Now that the New York Times tells us that the Muslim Brotherhood is really strong, organized, widely supported by the army, and capable of taking over Egypt–all the things I wrote at the time and the mass media denied–the Washington Post confirms every point I made during the revolution
U.S. media catching up on Egypt’s drift toward Islamism Read More »
Middle East, USABy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. –American core principles as articulated by President Obama are indeed a prescription for intervention everywhere – despite his firm denial. “America cannot use our military wherever repression occurs…. we must always measure our interests against the need for action.” But, he said, “We had a unique ability to stop that
Obama Doctrine: a prescription for intervention everywhere Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USABy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — At the moment in history when people are not just rebelling in the Middle East but when the opposition movements in Iran and Syria are at a high point, the fact that the U.S. government is standing by and not only doing nothing but virtually saying nothing. No, it
U.S. should denounce Syria’s Asad Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C — What is the American national interest in military intervention in Libya? What is our military objective and how do we plan to achieve it? If it wasn’t clear before yesterday, it was no clearer after the President spoke. After denouncing the Iraq war “bluntly,” as he said, President Obama
Obama’s reasons for Libyan action sound like Bush’s for Iraq Read More »
USABy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel–As I’ve reported, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is horrified by White House policies in the Middle East. Indeed, he has an extra reason for being upset since it is his military forces that have to manage the Libyan mess while simultaneously fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan while, on top
U.S. miscalculations make another Israel-Gaza war inevitable Read More »
Middle East, USABy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel –The headline on the Associated Press story caught my eye immediately: “Thousands of Palestinians rally for reconciliation.” I always look for stories that contradict my assumptions so that I can examine or change them if necessary. According to the headline, this might be an important new–and positive–development. So, did thousands
Palestinians rallying for ‘reconciliation’ mean with Hamas Read More »
Middle East, USA