-Second of two part series- By Steven Kramer It’s pretty obvious that President Obama has led the American retreat from its lofty status as the world’s only superpower to an attitude of non-participation in any situation which may endanger American soldiers. However, isn’t it the army’s role to protect the homeland from dangers abroad and […]
Iran wins, West loses (Part II) Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Several headlines of recent days bring to the fore the persistent question of whether Israel is a strong state or a lazy state. The noisiest commotion has to do with the Bedouin. There have been demonstrations involving thousands, with non-lethal violence in several locations, protesting a government plan to deal
Many of Israel’s knottiest problems are lazily put off Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C.–Americans tend to think of a 501(c)(3) tax exemption as the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval” from the U.S. Government, indicating that the organization does work of which the government approves. Not necessarily. In Financing the Flames, Edwin Black reveals his meticulous research on “human rights” organizations that use charitable funds
Some ‘peace’ groups provoke anti-Israel incidents Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Is President Obama throwing Israel under a bus (to use the expression that has become popular in Canada in the Senate scandal debate) in the wake of his overt and covert negotiations with Iran? Statements by Prime Minister Netanyahu can be read in this way. Even enthusiastic peaceniks seem
Turning away from U.S. is folly for Israel Read More »
Middle EastFirst of two articles By Steve Kramer The recent negotiations between Iran and the five UN Security Council permanent members + Germany were concluded successfully, according to the American government. “Obama said that the deal allows world powers to continue to apply ‘the toughest sanctions,’ but refrains from imposing new sanctions. The White House said
Iran wins, West loses Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2014 as the year of solidarity with the Palestinian people. Is this just another bit of UN blather, one of 21 resolutions passed so far against Israel this year, while only 4 resolutions condemned activities in all the other countries of the world?
Brace yourself for another anti-Israel year at U.N. Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–There are lots of tantalizing questions, that in their nature leave us without answers. Chief among those bothering Israelis concern our status. The existential question–asked time and again In various formulations–amounts to • How much power do we really have? • What can we get away with? • To what extent are
Israel’s options limited by world’s interdependence Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Noam Bedein SDEROT, Israel -This November, southern Israel marks one year since the IDF’s Operation Pillar of Defense in the Gaza Strip. It has been the quietest year in quite awhile, with “only” 79 rockets and missiles fired at southern Israeli communities. This is the fourth cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in the
Rockets from Gaza demonstrate perils of Mideast ‘peace’ Read More »
Middle EastBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Obama administration is entitled to be furious with Israel. Although the U.S. got bragging rights for its (one-sided-not-in-our-favor) deal with Iran, Prime Minister Netanyahu remains determined publicly to say what the President wants to hide: Iran’s nuclear program could not be negotiated away, rolled back significantly or
U.S. has abandoned its principles in Iran N-Deal Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The best feature of the Iran deal–and maybe its only good feature–is that there is a deal, showing that the Iranians are willing to deal. The weakest points from an Israeli perspective are the Iranians, the US administration, and the UN agency charged with inspection, none of which are particularly trustworthy. Some
Iran deal has Israel on edge Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastNEW YORK – Israeli President Shimon Peres on Monday, Nov. 25, awarded The State of Israel’s Presidential Medal of Distinction to Nobel Laureate and esteemed author and activist, Elie Wiesel. The medal, which is the highest civilian honor in the State of Israel, is bestowed by the President onto individuals who have made an outstanding
Peres awards Medal of Distinction to Wiesel Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — This is not the time for anything close to a complete assessment of the agreement with Iran. Commentators can find points where Israel’s insistence might have shaped the final deal, but so far the tendency of Israeli officials and party leaders–not all of them right of center–is to complain that
Lieberman wants Israel to make new friends Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Steve Kramer Eyal Zisser is Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and the Yona and Dina Ettinger Chair of Contemporary Middle Eastern History at Tel Aviv University (TAU). Professor Zisser recently spoke to the English Speaking Friends of TAU at their monthly lecture on the present situation in the Middle East, particularly in Syria.
U.S. image in decline throughout Middle East Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Change may occur, but as mother used to say when I wanted something beyond the possible, “Don’t hold your breath.” Prominent in what does not appear to be changing are the gaps between Iran, Israel, and the more powerful of western countries. On the eve of meetings in Geneva that
Haven’t we heard this news before? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East