MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (Press Release) – U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, D-Wis., on Friday announced that he will not seek another term in 2012. Kohl is currently serving his fourth term in the U.S. Senate, which will expire at the end of the 112th Congress on January 3, 2013. He delivered the following remarks from his Milwaukee Senate office […]
Herb Kohl announces he’ll retire at end of Senate term Read More »
USAWASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release)–President Barack Obama issued the following statement on the resignation of U.S. Middle East Envoy George Mitchell: “Over the past two and a half years, George Mitchell has worked as a tireless advocate for peace as the U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East. His deep commitment to resolving conflict and advancing
George Mitchell resigns as Middle East envoy; David Hale named as interim envoy Read More »
USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM –Why the fascination with this little corner of the world? Israelis and Palestinians are not engaged in the bloodiest of conflicts. Neither of us can claim to be the most threatened or oppressed. Yet Israelis are at the focus of supervision, criticism, and the threat of sanctions, while the Palestinians are coddled.
Does ego drive Obama’s Middle East policies? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USAWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson on Thursday reviewed the still-classified photographs of Usama bin Laden that showed the deadly wounds inflicted by Navy SEALs during their mission 11 days ago. The Florida Democrat, a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he saw a number of photographs at the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in
Bin Laden death photos should be released eventually — Nelson Read More »
USAWASHINGTON, DC (Press Release) – Following Wednesday night’s arrest of two men plotting a terrorist attack in New York City, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) pointed to the continued trend of terrorists arming themselves with readily-available weapons to carry out commando-style attacks in the United States. Lautenberg is the author of two bills aimed at closing
Make it harder for known terror suspect to purchase guns —Lautenberg Read More »
USAWASHINGTON, DC (Press Release) – After the White House announced Monday that the bounty for information leading to the capture or killing of Osama Bin Laden will likely never be paid out, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D –New York), who Sunday called for the money to instead be given to organizations that help 9/11 survivors, families and first
Give Bin Laden bounty to 9-11 families—Congressman Weiner Read More »
USABy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. –This was supposed to be about Israel’s 63rd birthday – a paean to our friend and democratic ally. But an e-mail arrived this morning from a congressional staffer, reading in part: “I’m hearing conflicting things – some are saying that the U.S. really needs to put the hammer to Assad.
U.S. should follow its principles in Syria Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USA
By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — I merely transcribe the lead paragraph inSaturday’s (May 7) Washington Post: “Syrian troops used heavy machine guns and artillery to quell anti-government demonstrations in the key city of Homs on Friday in a sharp escalation of their crackdown against regime opponents, as tens of thousands of Syrians again defied
U.S. should pull plug on Syrian regime now Read More »
Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — I find much of the literature on political culture to be persuasive, and I have worked in enough American states and other countries to experience variations myself. People differ in their values and behaviors, and often think that their way is the best or even the only way of dealing with
American pep rallies celebrating Bin-Laden’s death were unseemly Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USADOROTHY: “I thought you said she was dead.” GLINDA: “That was her sister–the Wicked Witch of the East. This is the Wicked Witch of the West. And she’s worse than the other one was.” –“The Wizard of Oz” By Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — It’s astounding that Hamas, Fatah al-Aqsa Brigades, and the Egyptian Muslim
By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — I do not claim expertise on Islam, but when I hear President Barack Obama assert, once again when reporting on the killing of Osama bin Laden, that America’s quarrel is not with Islam, I feel myself hearing that the sun will rise in the west. The claim that Al Qaeda,
U.S. not at war with Islam? How about with some of its branches? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USA
By Rabbi Ben Kamin HIRAM, OHIO—Not too many miles from here, at Kent State University, a dreadful moment is recalled today—May 4, 1970. In the quagmire of the misbegotten Vietnam War, in a nation polarized and traumatized from a decade of civil unrest, racial crucibles, and the successive assassinations of major leaders, the wanton killings
Sobering thoughts on anniversary of Kent State killings Read More »
USABy Barry Rubin HERZLIYA, Israel — Usama bin Laden is dead. But revolutionary Islamism is very much alive and stronger than ever. Thinking that bin Laden is the main problem and his death is the solution is very dangerous indeed and might well intensify the policies that have been leading toward the victory of his
Revolutionary Islamism still strong following Bin Laden’s demise Read More »
International, Middle East, USABy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — These are days that cause me to ponder the nature of government. On the one hand, we see the fragility of strong regimes on our borders and not so far away. What may have begun with the rejection of a small business license in Tunisia has spread to where the
Is U.S. power, prestige, resurging with bin-Laden killing? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USA