BULLETIN No.243

Reuters Turkey Sees Positive Signs For Israel - Syria Talks "Syria wants Turkey's mediation. Israel sometimes gives positive signals on it. The situation will be evaluated," Erdogan was quoted as saying. A senior official in Netanyahu's bureau also said no decision had been taken on whether to renew talks with Syria under Turkish mediation. The official went on to cautiously welcome Erdogan's reported comments, saying: "If the words reflect Turkey's wish to strengthen its ties with Israel and to contribute to forwarding peace, this, of course, is a welcome aspiration."
AP Turkey says Syria-Israel talks may restart
No decision made on Turkish role in Syria talks, says Israel
Israel, Syria Announce Nuclear Energy Ambitions
The Multitudinous Disasters Of The Obama Administration. Here: On Syria And Iran by Marty Peretz
Obama Talks, Syria Mocks - Elliott Abrams, Weekly Standard
Asharq Al-Awsat Talk to Syrian FM Walid al-Muallem
Israel, Turkey: A Thaw in Talks With Syria A recent improvement in Israel-Turkish relations is attributable to Turkey's role as mediator in Israeli-Syrian relations.
Turkey determined to mediate in Israeli-Syrian dispute
Turkish FM, Syrian president discuss Mideast peace
Turkey determined to resume Israeli-Syrian talks, says FM
Turkish Foreign Minister in Syria for talks with President Al-Assad
Turkish, Syrian cabinets to meet on Latakia-Mersin ferry


Hezbollah's Penance: The Shiite Militia Works to Rebuild Its Tarnished Image
BY: David Schenker The Weekly Standard
The problems of the Party of God, Hezbollah's English translation, started in May 2008, when the militia violated its cardinal rule and turned its weapons -- allegedly intended for use against Israel -- on Lebanese citizens, when the organization invaded Beirut.
LAT Lebanon, at peace, braces for war By Doyle McManus A growing economy; political stability. But most Lebanese fear it won't last.
Hariri the son, and premier The truly unique circumstances which led Prime Minister Saad Hariri to enter politics have meant that his political life has been characterized by two different roles. As the son of slain former Premier Rafik Hariri, Saad Hariri has campaigned diligently and passionately in support for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in its search for his father's killers. As a prime minister


Israeli-Arab Negotiations: Background, Conflicts, and U.S. Policy (PDF; 582 KB)Source: Congressional Research Service (via OpenCRS)
Netanyahu to Biden: We didn't seek to embarrass you over East Jerusalem construction Israel's plan to build 1,600 new homes in East Jerusalem has created tensions with the U.S.
Yedioth Ahronoth
UN: J'lem settlements illegal Israeli approval of plan to build 1,600 housing units in east Jerusalem neighborhood 'undermines any movement towards viable peace process,' Ban says. Kadima: This is new level of political
Biden condemns Israel over homes plan Israel approves plan for 1,600 new homes in East Jerusalem, hours after US vice-president pledged support for government
How not to advance Arab-Israeli peace By DAVID HARRIS
A new intifada is inevitableBy ZIAD KHALIL ABU ZAYYAD
As Biden Visits, Israel Unveils Plan for New Settlements The plan to build 1,600 new homes in Jerusalem is likely to complicate relations with the U.S. as Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. tours the region.
Yedioth Ahronoth Will Biden bridge gaps? Palestinians feel US willingness to pressure Israel is limited. Six of Netanyahu's seven senior ministers believe current Pa leadership is incapable of meeting demands. American VP set to try to overcome mistrust between sides
Israel to allow Ban into Gaza
Editorial / U.S. is proving it wants Mideast peace - now it's Israel's turn Israel is not entitled to simply shrug its shoulders at the revival of the peace process
PLO approves indirect peace talks with Israel Arab League approved idea last week, giving Abbas backing for negotiations under U.S. mediation
Secret Israeli report: U.S. cozying up to Palestinians U.S. not serious about upcoming Israel-PA negotiations, according to internal Foreign Min. Document
Israel Intends to Build Civilian Nuclear Plants
Indirect talks bring Israel, Palestinians back to square one Zvi Bar'el, 19 years after Madrid and 17 years after Oslo, we find ourselves back at the starting point
PA source: Israel told us to fight violence or we will Israel threatens PA with reduced cooperation and more W. Bank arrests if protests not quelled
Biden arrives in Israel amid signs of peace process renewal U.S. VP to address Israeli public on peace process, Iran nuclear program and U.S.-Israel relations
MESS Report / PA holds olive branch in one hand, stone in the other Discussing a final-status agreement while allowing a mini-intifada to unfold gives the PA leverage
Gideon Levy / There has never been an Israeli peace camp The problem is rooted in the left's impossible adherence to Zionism in its historical, defunct sense.
Avraham Burg / Once justice dwelled in Jerusalem, now settlers do Netanyahu and Barkat are corrupting the nation's soul, turning our eternal capital into a harlot.
Biden's assurances to Jerusalem
EU foreign policy chief hopes Israel will grant her rare permission to enter Gaza
Jerusalem Post What’s brewing between the US and Israel?When Israel has to make its decision on Iran, it will likely be best to refrain from asking for permission.
‘Hamas losing control over Strip’Senior operative in Gaza reportedly sends letter to Masha’al warning of security anarchy in Strip
PM meets Mitchell as PLO okays talks
Palestinians to give US mediation a chance; Netanyahu, US envoy have "good discussion."
Analysis: Not all VP visits are significant, but this one isWashington wants to ensure that Israel and the US remain on the same page regarding how to deal with Iran.
Recycled: Joe Biden, the erratic pragmatistBy SHMUEL ROSNER
Yedioth Ahronoth 'Israel faces tough decisions' Ahead of VP Biden's visit, Defense Minister Barak says Israeli leadership 'must make certain we do not miss another opportunity for peace.' Senior official says indirect talks with PA 'will allow us to focus on real threat – Iran'
As Biden heads to Israel, plan for proximity talks advances
Go to Gaza, Mr Mitchell – then break the blockade
James Zogby: Proximity talks between the Palestinians and Israelis will do little to halt the hopeless spiral.
Did the Arabs Give Him a “Cover” or Expose Him? : Tariq Alhomayed
Hopeful or hopeless?
Under American pressure, Abbas has agreed to indirect talks with Israel, with some Arab support and without preconditions, writes Dina Ezzat
Interview: Tzipi Livni Israel’s leading opposition politician says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs to “face reality” and work toward a two-state solution with the Palestinians -- before it’s too late.
Biden leads latest U.S. push to revive Mideast peace talks Although they'll end a 14-month hiatus in negotiations, there's skepticism about the talks because this is the first time in 16 years that Israeli and Palestinian leaders won't talk to one another directly
Myth of Palestine's Economic Development - Sam Bahour, Japan Times
The perils of a new intifadaGulfNews
Palestinians back new peace talks Palestinian leaders back a new round of indirect peace talks with Israel, more than a year after they last broke down.


Juan Cole Secular National Iraqi List of Allawi reported to have surged in Sunni Arab Provinces; Implications for Iran, US.
US General: 'Months' Before Iraq Government
Dispute over candidate disqualifications could mar Iraqi vote's legitimacy A controversy over the disqualification of candidates threatened Tuesday to undermine the legitimacy of Iraq's recent elections and inflame supporters of a coalition seeking to topple the alliance led by the prime minister.
Iraqi Officials to Begin Releasing Vote Tallies on Wednesday The partial results of parliamentary elections will provide an incomplete picture of the vote that will nevertheless provide the broad outlines of the country’s political landscape.
Now what happens?
The post-election process in Iraq will be difficult, and potentially even impossible. (By Razzaq al-Saied, Boston Globe)
Center for American ProgressIraqis Take Back Their Country: Iraq’s 2010 Elections as U.S. Policy Transitions
Heritage Foundation Charting U.S. Policy After Iraq's Elections
New York Times THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
It’s Up to Iraqis Now. Good Luck. The elections were a good step forward, but now Iraq must prove that it wants a more democratic future.
Christian Science Monitor Ahead of Iraq election results news reports say Sunni, Kurd turnout strong While preliminary Iraq election results aren't due out until Wednesday, turnout in Sunni provinces was as high as 75 percent, say news reports. Many Sunnis boycotted the last election.
Kurds set to be Iraq election kingmakers
Kurdish alliance set to play prominent role in coalition government despite Gorran group breaking away
National Interest Kurdistan Election Decided by Joost R. Hiltermann Kurdish voters presented a united front for Baghdad. But internal divisions are rife—and the region might soon devolve into political turmoil.
Beyond Iraq's Election Day Success - Council on Foreign Relations
Debka Iraqi PM Maliki sweeps polls, defeats pro-Iranian bloc
Guardian Iraq after the elections: Slogging towards stability
Editorial: Two significant differences separate Iraq's parliamentary election from the first postwar poll in 2005
Editorial Iraqis VoteThe new Iraqi government must do a far better job than the current one of ensuring that the Sunnis and all minorities have a fuller voice in the country’s future.
Candidates Speculate on Results of Iraq Vote The government reported a 62 percent turnout rate, as the American military commander in Iraq praised the Iraqi military for its handling of the election.
Iraq poll hailed as key to US pull-out The general election in Iraq is a “milestone” towards the complete withdrawal of American troops, the senior US commander in the country said
Iraqi officials put voter turnout at 62 percent
Kurds led all groups; Sunni participation greater than expected
Christian Science Monitor After Iraq election, fragile democracy faces the real test Sunday's Iraq election saw good turnout despite scattered violence. But with no party powerful enough to rule alone, the tough task of coalition building begins for the nascent democracy.
Likely Scenarios for Iraq's Elections BY: Kirk Sowell World Politics Review
There are several possible scenarios for coalitions that might emerge from the election's outcome, but only two are reasonably likely, and both would result in a government that looks a lot like the present one.
CRS Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks A 20-page US report surveying the political scene in Iraq
Guardian Iraqi election rivals claim success after lower turnout Nouri al-Maliki and Iyad Allawi talk up performance in Iraqi election that drew smaller but broader vote than in 2005
Newsweek Oil, Iraq's Greatest Asset, Could Doom Its Future
McClatchy Iraqis vote despite explosions, but now comes the hard part Iraqis braved a wave of bombings to vote in landmark elections, but no candidate is likely to win an outright majority, which means that it will take months of horse-trading for politicians to form a new government
Sunnis Go to Polls, This Time, to Retain a Voice
By ANTHONY SHADID Sunni Arabs largely sat out Iraqi national elections in 2005, but the need to protect their interests brought them out in droves on Sunday.
After Iraq's election, the real fight By Meghan O'Sullivan
Iraq: Prospects for the Future of a Democratic Iraq
A Look at the Major Coalitions in Iraq's Election
Christian Science Monitor Iraq election: Purple fingers, but hard work ahead Despite attacks, triumphant moments unfolded across the country as Iraqis dipped their fingers in purple ink and cast ballots in the Iraq election. Results and voter turnout are not expected for at least another day.


Iran, Democracy, and Trade Keys to Successful Clinton Visit to Latin America
The Iranian Regime: What You Need to Know
Ten Steps to a Free Iran
'US indirectly supports trade with Iran'NY Times: Federal contract payments, grants, benefits amount to $107 billion.
Facing new sanctions, Iran admits oil shortages Senior Iranian oil official: Increased gasoline rationing imposed last year didn't reduce domestic demand


The Century FoundationRussia’s Policy in the Middle East: Prospects for Consensus and Conflict in the Middle East D Trenin
Is There a Mideast Solution? by William Pfaff