http://politicalmavens.com/ TIMELY ESSAYS

Russia: not ready for Obama
By Amitai Etzioni

As President Obama heads to Russia, our discussions with various American and Russian representatives show that stove-piping is blocking what could be a major multifaceted deal. The main negotiations in preparation for the president’s visit are taking place in tightly controlled compartments.

Posted by Amitai Etzioni on July 9th, 2009
Permanent link: Russia: not ready for Obama

US: Israel sovereign on Iran, not housing
By Judith A. Klinghoffer

Dan Pipes asks “Am I the only one to note a smidgen of inconsistency in U.S. policy toward Israel?”

Posted by Judith A. Klinghoffer on July 9th, 2009
Permanent link: US: Israel sovereign on Iran, not housing

Chief Bosnian Mufti: Make Sharia Part of the Constitution
By Julia Gorin

BBC Monitoring Europe (Political) - June 5, 2009, Friday

Posted by Julia Gorin on July 7th, 2009
Permanent link: Chief Bosnian Mufti: Make Sharia Part of the Constitution

Iran: Six Options to support the Green Flames of Freedom
By Judith A. Klinghoffer

Frauke John and Sabrina Schmitt, suggest these:

Posted by Judith A. Klinghoffer on June 29th, 2009
Permanent link: Iran: Six Options to support the Green Flames of Freedom

SAUDIS TO HELP IRANIAN OPPOSITION?
By Judith A. Klinghoffer

Good news. If Washington Institute’s David Pollock report on the Middle Eastern/Muslim reaction to events in Iran is to be trusted, Iranian opposition forces can expect some serious help. It is Saudi financial support, rather than Obama’s Cairo speech, that was behind the recent electoral victory of the anti-Syrian, anti-Hezbollah forces. The Saudis, unlike the Americans, have money, are willing to spend it and need to answer to no one.

Posted by Judith A. Klinghoffer on June 27th, 2009
Permanent link: SAUDIS TO HELP IRANIAN OPPOSITION?

War of the worlds
By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen

Those who continue to insist that what we’re facing is not a clash of cultures, might consider this Associated Press story about the women participating in election protests in Iran.

Posted by Rachel Raskin-Zrihen on June 24th, 2009
Permanent link: War of the worlds

MOUSAVI ADJUSTS TACTICS
By Judith A. Klinghoffer

Posted by Judith A. Klinghoffer on June 24th, 2009
Permanent link: MOUSAVI ADJUSTS TACTICS

Why Iranian protests paralyze Obama
By Mark Davis

Nov. 4 will mark the 30th anniversary of one of the darkest days in American history.

Posted by Mark Davis on June 23rd, 2009
Permanent link: Why Iranian protests paralyze Obama

Khamenei led chants include: “CRIME IS DICTATED BY AMERICA”
By Judith A. Klinghoffer

Qatar’s English daily,The Peninsular,provides us with the information MSM does it’s best to hide for it does not support the claim that Obama’s caution has been reciprocated or prevented the US from becoming “the issue.” The chants were too complex not to have been carefully orchastrated:

Posted by Judith A. Klinghoffer on June 20th, 2009
Permanent link: Khamenei led chants include: “CRIME IS DICTATED BY AMERICA”

KHAMENEI LEADS “DEATH TO AMERICA” CHANTS
By Judith A. Klinghoffer

I hope Barack Obama takes the time to read Ayatollah Khamenei’s speech. He would find it most educational. For the Supreme Leader, as Obama likes to call him, has not directed his rhetorical fire at his most forthright detractors, France and Germany. No, he directed them, as he always did and would have done if Obama had been more forthright in his response, at the United States. If president Obama hoped his “tepid” response would undermine Khamenei’s ability to posit America as the enemy (second, of course, to the Zionists), he was wrong. In other words, he betrayed American values in a manner that disgusted EVEN the editors of the Egyptian government daily Al Ahram and got “Death to America” chants in return.

More »
Posted by Judith A. Klinghoffer on June 19th, 2009
Permanent link: KHAMENEI LEADS “DEATH TO AMERICA” CHANTS

ISRAELI INTELLIGENCE DIVIDED ON IRAN
By Judith A. Klinghoffer

The head of Israel’s military intelligence argues that Street protests beginning of end for Iran

Posted by Judith A. Klinghoffer on June 18th, 2009
Permanent link: ISRAELI INTELLIGENCE DIVIDED ON IRAN

HBO’s Vampire Series ‘True Blood’ is an Allegory for Our Times
By Julia Gorin

First, a recent news item, about which JihadWatch.com’s Robert Spencer would say “tiny minority” alert:

Posted by Julia Gorin on June 18th, 2009
Permanent link: HBO’s Vampire Series ‘True Blood’ is an Allegory for Our Times

OBAMA IRANIAN DIALOGUE HAS BEGUN
By Judith A. Klinghoffer

President Obama: We are good boys. You may do anything you wish to your people and we will remain respectfully silent:

Posted by Judith A. Klinghoffer on June 17th, 2009
Permanent link: OBAMA IRANIAN DIALOGUE HAS BEGUN

Rogue states and rising powers continue to post a strategic risk to American security
By Peter Brookes

There is a popular notion that the world has changed dramatically with the election of a new American President and that the United States will not be challenged by ambitious peer competitors and rogue states in the coming decades. While this is a hopeful concept, it is also inaccurate.

Posted by Peter Brookes on June 16th, 2009
Permanent link: Rogue states and rising powers continue to post a strategic risk to American security

Dispatch from Iran
By Monica Crowley

By the way Moussavi is no Moderate or reformist either. You Americans are interesting people. Get with the program - Moussavi is the means we used as an excuse to tear the regime apart.

Posted by Monica Crowley on June 16th, 2009
Permanent link: Dispatch from Iran

UNLIKE HUNGARIANS, IRANIANS ARE MASTERS OF THEIR FATE
By Judith A. Klinghoffer

In a superb article one of my favorite columnist, Brett Stephens, points out that Obama would much rather see “regime change” come to democratic Israel than to Theocratic Iran and, hence, can be expected to treat Netanyahu much more harshly than Ahmadinejad. Of course, nothing else can be expected from the man whose most beloved mentor is Jeremiah Wright. Unfortunately, Stephens goes on:

Posted by Judith A. Klinghoffer on June 16th, 2009
Permanent link: UNLIKE HUNGARIANS, IRANIANS ARE MASTERS OF THEIR FATE

OBAMA DENIES IRANIANS’ REQUEST TO WITHHOLD RECOGNITION
By Judith A. Klinghoffer

IRANIAN ARTISTS IN EXILE URGE the world not to recognize the legitimacy of the elections.

Posted by Judith A. Klinghoffer on June 15th, 2009
Permanent link: OBAMA DENIES IRANIANS’ REQUEST TO WITHHOLD RECOGNITION

IRANIAN DIASPORA JOINS THE FIGHT
By Judith A. Klinghoffer

They are demonstrating in Boston, Toronto, London, Vienna, Berlin, Budapest and more importantly, in Dubai and Malaysia! Watch videos here http://hnn.us/blogs/entries/92055.html

Posted by Judith A. Klinghoffer on June 15th, 2009
Permanent link: IRANIAN DIASPORA JOINS THE FIGHT

Israel, you are not alone - Obama has betrayed Arab (and African and Eastern European) countries as well
By Sam Schulman

The Obama administration, according to Haaretz, hopes to improve relations with the Arab world by putting pressure on Israel.

Posted by Sam Schulman on June 14th, 2009
Permanent link: Israel, you are not alone - Obama has betrayed Arab (and African and Eastern European) countries as well

Marty Peretz admits it - the Democratic Party has become the home of US anti-semites
By Sam Schulman

Marty Peretz, who so recently half-defended the Reverend Mr. Wright, has thrown in the towel. Today he half-defends Bill Kristol for reporting the results of a new study by Stanford/Columbia U professors on the anti-semitism of Democrats vs. Republicans. The issue is not Israel for once - it’s the old canard that the Jews are responsible for economic disturbances. The original study is reported in the liberal Boston Review - and I recommend that you read the comments, particularly the chap who says that even the anti-Israel is not anti-Jewish, just anti-Zionist, except for the few who think the Arabs are better behaved than the Jews.

Posted by Sam Schulman on June 14th, 2009
Permanent link: Marty Peretz admits it - the Democratic Party has become the home of US anti-semites

Kendall Myers - At Least he isn’t a traitor to his class
By Sam Schulman

In the new Weekly Standard (June 22), see my new piece on the Cuba spy Myers.

Posted by Sam Schulman on June 14th, 2009
Permanent link: Kendall Myers - At Least he isn’t a traitor to his class

Savvy Mullahs surprise “experts,” infuriate opponents
By Judith A. Klinghoffer

Consider: ”U.S. analysts find it “not credible” that challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi would have lost the balloting in his hometown or that a third candidate, Mehdi Karoubi, would have received less than 1 percent of the total vote, a senior U.S. officials told FOX News.” American “experts” on Iran are shocked, shocked, shocked Karim Sadjapour, analyst at carnegie endowment for international peace:

Posted by Judith A. Klinghoffer on June 13th, 2009
Permanent link: Savvy Mullahs surprise “experts,” infuriate opponents

Ahmadinejad Wins! (Duh)
By Monica Crowley

The government-run media in Iran (as opposed to the government-run media here) is announcing that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has “won” “re-election.”

Posted by Monica Crowley on June 12th, 2009
Permanent link: Ahmadinejad Wins! (Duh)

Journalist Still in Crosshairs: Asks Supporters to Make Noise About His Plight
By Heather Robinson

“Your writeups or anything by anyone are always of help to me,” he writes. “It never hurts. Rather silence would.”

Posted by Heather Robinson on June 11th, 2009
Permanent link: Journalist Still in Crosshairs: Asks Supporters to Make Noise About His Plight

Holocaust Museum Shooter Knows How to Take an Example
By Julia Gorin

A little basic psychology here.

Posted by Julia Gorin on June 10th, 2009
Permanent link: Holocaust Museum Shooter Knows How to Take an Example

KHAMENEI STANDS BY AHMADINEJAD’S FOREIGN POLICY
By Judith A. Klinghoffer

Roula Khalaf of the Financial Times reports: ”Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has often backed Mr Ahmadi-Nejad’s approach, has taken notice. Last week he responded to the criticism by insisting the “honour of the nation” was “reflected in the world”.“I do not accept the sayings of those who imagine that our nation has become belittled in the world be-cause of its commitment to its principles,” he said. “This path will continue until final victory.”

Posted by Judith A. Klinghoffer on June 9th, 2009
Permanent link: KHAMENEI STANDS BY AHMADINEJAD’S FOREIGN POLICY

HILLARY CLINTON WEAKENS COMMITMENT TO ISRAEL
By Judith A. Klinghoffer

There are times I wish for creative ambiguity. Watching Hillary Clinton dial back not only her own campaign assertion but also her own envoy’s recommendation that the US would make clear to Iran that it would retaliate militarily against an Iranian nuclear attack, I wished George Stephanopoulos had not stiven so hard for clarity.

Posted by Judith A. Klinghoffer on June 7th, 2009
Permanent link: HILLARY CLINTON WEAKENS COMMITMENT TO ISRAEL

Obama Tries to Find Common Ground with Muslim World, Finds He’s Standing on Dead Jews
By Julia Gorin

Obama offered a “personal commitment” to bridge US differences with Muslims in his much anticipated speech to the Islamic world this week in Egypt. As his aides said leading up to the speech: “He will discuss how the United States and Muslim communities around the world can bridge some of the differences that have divided them.”

Posted by Julia Gorin on June 4th, 2009
Permanent link: Obama Tries to Find Common Ground with Muslim World, Finds He’s Standing on Dead Jews

Ira - the Cairo Speech overstated Obama’s support for Israel and US interests
By Sam Schulman

The brilliant Ira Stoll is dismayed. He writes on Commentary’s Contentions that he “ had actually defended Obama against those who felt he would be a disaster for Israel. This speech makes me think that may have been a mistake.”

Posted by Sam Schulman on June 4th, 2009
Permanent link: Ira - the Cairo Speech overstated Obama’s support for Israel and US interests.

Hey, Cairo: not just Jews but Arabs too were given homelands by the Western powers
By Sam Schulman

The president’s Cairo speech was by no means as bad as I feared, but he dropped a wonderful opportunity to link Arabs (in particular, not Muslims in general) and Jews. Both peoples - not just the Jews - owe their independent nations to the sacrifices of the Western democracies in World War I and specifically to the principles of national self-determination that America’s race-obsessed president Woodrow Wilson insisted upon. Israel, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia - all of these states were created by the British forces (freed by the American rescue of the Allies) fighting the Turkish state in the war to end war.

Posted by Sam Schulman on June 4th, 2009
Permanent link: Hey, Cairo: not just Jews but Arabs too were given homelands by the Western powers

Springtime in Tehran
By Monica Crowley

In an interview broadcast today on the BBC, President Obama said this about the terrorist, murderous, apocalyptic, and maniacal regime in the Islamic Republic of Iran:

Posted by Monica Crowley on June 2nd, 2009
Permanent link: Springtime in Tehran

NETANYAHU MUST CONTINUE TO SAY NO!
By Judith A. Klinghoffer (bio)

There can be nothing more dangerous to Israel and onerous to the US than a compliant Israel for it invites endless pressure on the US. Indeed, it makes the US responsible for each and every Israeli action. This has been true in the past and it is true at the present. Hence, the greatest help Netanyahu can give Obama is to continue to say no.

Posted by Judith A. Klinghoffer on June 2nd, 2009
Permanent link: NETANYAHU MUST CONTINUE TO SAY NO!

US allies, especially India, unhappy with Obama
By Judith A. Klinghoffer (bio)

While advocating “conversations” with sworn enemies the new administration neglects allies. Gibbs disses the entire British press, once again Obama fails to include Israel in his PRESIDENTIAL visit to the Middle East, Buchenwald is an unsettling substitution, to say the least, relations with Germany are poor and disillusioned Indians see “Hazardous days ahead.” Former Democratic defense secretary, Bill Cohen could not agree more.