The New Republic

Of course, it’s not only Obama’s debacle. The debacle started when the world’s self-appointed enforcers of what they imagined as peace put the squeeze on Israel as it fought Hezbollah in the summer of 2006. It is true that the fighting was not going as well as it might have for the Jewish state. But by the time everybody was in the panicky spirit to intervene for a truce the Israel Defense Forces had actually turned the tides of battle against the wild and crazy Shi’a militia whose casualties were more Lebanese than Israelis.  READ MORE >>

Almost everyone has noticed and many have commented on the “69-day ordeal,” as the A.P. reporter Michael Warren termed the rescue of the 33 Chilean miners. For most it was the heroism and fortitude of the miners and the skilled dedication of the rescue team. READ MORE >>

I remember Ted Kennedy announcing his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president in 1980. It was an unusual candidacy because there was already a Democrat in the White House and he intended to run for a second a term. That president was Jimmy Carter, poor man. Poor haughty man. But it was Kennedy's own announcement that could not have been more mortifying. On television one night he was questioned by Roger Mudd. I believe he lost the nod right then and there.  He couldn't even explain why he was running. READ MORE >>

You may not agree with Benny Begin and Reuven Rivlin on settlements or with Dan Meridor and Michael Eitan on other aspects of the negotiations with the Palestinians. But they are honest men and, in their manner, true liberals. READ MORE >>

"The war on the educated" is what the New York Times called it on Saturday. And the fact is that there is much evidence that there is a relentless stalking of modern intellectuals and moderate Muslim clerics in Pakistan. READ MORE >>

Do you remember Robert Malley? Yes, that (Jewish) fella who makes a living counseling Israel to accede to every Palestinian demand. The one who first was an Obama adviser and then wasn’t...and then maybe was again. Well, he turned out to not to be. Instead, he is, according to today’s New York Times, Middle East and North African program director of the International Crisis Group, a very pompous self-characterization. READ MORE >>

There's an article in this morning's Financial Times reporting that the Obamas have restored the practice of installing solar panelling on the White House residence. I suppose it's better than not doing so. And certainly better than making a mess of the renewable energy neogtiations which senators John Kerry, Joe Lieberman and Lindsay Graham had been quite heroically pressing with a very well-mobilized and well-financed opposition. READ MORE >>

Aaron David Miller is one of those youngish senior Middle East experts who's been in the field since at least James Baker was secretary of state. At that point, Miller more or less adhered to the Baker line which was--how can I say this?--downright anti-Israel and arguable anti-Semitic. You do remember "fuck the Jews," don't you? READ MORE >>

I assume--and Israeli security officials confirm--that the problem is not systematic. That there are a few individuals who live in other countries and for reasons some fair, some presumably not have trouble getting in and out of the territories. The Palestinian Olympic Committee has been functioning as any other Olympic organization that depends on a small population, thin sports traditions and a poor domestic economy. READ MORE >>

The New York Times story is by Jeffrey Gettleman, one of our great narrative journalists. You will cry or maybe retch at the story he tells. This happens not to be a story of rape by U.N. “peacekeepers.” But it is a story of the blue helmets standing by while unspeakable and rapacious violence was being done to the vulnerable and undefended. READ MORE >>