BULLETIN No.180

U.S. envoy: We won't stop Israel from talking to Syria Ambassador to Israel says he does not consider Syria a diplomatic partner as long as it backs terror groups
Guardian Bid to bring Syria in from cold EU's foreign policy chief visits Syria as diplomacy in the Middle East intensifies ahead of a key Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia at the end of this month.
The road to Damascus Nadim Houry Mar 13 07, 09:00pm: Javier Solana's visit to president Assad signals a fresh start for the EU's relations with Syria. But human rights must not fall off the agenda.
Helena Cobban West's relations with Syria starting to thawTo end the Iraq strife, the US should engage Iran and Syria Alon Ben-Meir
Asia Times A US detour via Syria to Iran - by Sami Moubayed Even though a small step has been taken, any further US negotiations with Iran face problems. An alternative is to deal with Syria. Washington knows that Damascus alone cannot solve Iraq's problems, but it can be used to moderate Iran's behavior
A bombshell that nobody heardA vast, secret Middle Eastern operation is being run, possibly illegally and based on stolen Iraqi oil funds and Saudi money, out of the US vice president's office, all to undermine the Iranians, Hezbollah, Hamas and the Syrians. This is one of several startling claims, such as US "meddling" in Iran, made recently by investigative journalist Seymour Hersh. And no one seems in the least bit bothered. - Tom Engelhardt
Der Spiegel Exodus to Syria: Iraqis Find Peace Across the Border
Iraqis Fleeing Violence Put Strain on Syria
EU urges Syria to play ‘positive’ role The EU’s foreign affairs chief, Javier Solana, on his first visit to Damascus in more than two years, urged Syria to play a positive role in Lebanon and Iraq
Solana: EU backs Syrian aim to regain Golan Heights
BBC Syria urges broader US dialogue Syria calls for a "serious dialogue" with the US as the most senior US official in two years visits Damascus.
Syria, United States Exchange Views on Iraqi Refugees
Syria calls for talks on Iraqi refugees Syria called for a “comprehensive dialogue” with the US as a senior State Department official held talks in Damascus on the plight of up to 1m Iraqi refugees
Syrian prime minister arrives in Tehran for talks with old ally

Lebanese Minister: Bus Bombing Last Month Was Ordered by Syria
WORLD NEWS: Lebanon arrests Syrian 'bombers' Beirut claims breakthrough over attacks Lebanon’s anti-Syrian government claimed the first major breakthrough in the investigation into a series of attacks in the country over the last couple of years
BBC Arrests over Lebanon bombings Alleged members of a radical Palestinian group are arrested in Lebanon over recent attacks on commuter buses.
Syria Denies Link to Group Accused of Lebanon Bombs

Olmert faces fall-out from Lebanon report
Schiff Analysis: PM, Peretz and Halutz are three men in the same boat Winograd interim report on failures surrounding war to cover period starting with 2000 pullout from LebanonFull text of the Winograd Committee press release
Envy, Conspiracy and a Lebanese Motor City By: Ulrike Putz Der SpiegelQatar, the oil-rich emirate, has donated a quarter of a billion dollars to the Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil in order to support reconstruction efforts there. But the generous donation has provoked a conflict with Hezbollah and is spawning envy, discord and conspiracy theories.
Olmert tells AIPAC: Early Iraq exit would destabilize entire Mideast
The Times US trying harder to secure peace
Condoleezza Rice is returning to the Middle East to try to kick-start the Israeli-Palestinian peace process Gerard Baker
Palestinians’ power share

The New Strategy in Iraq: Uncertain Progress Towards an Unknown GoalSource: Center for Strategic & International Studies
Iraqis’ Progress Lags Behind Pace Set by Bush Plan Bush administration officials acknowledge that their key political goals for Iraq will take longer than they anticipated.
PINR "Intelligence Brief: The Implications of Strategic Withdrawal from Iraq" Full text of report

Iran, US Back Off From Confrontation Signs from both sides suggest more diplomacy, at least for now
Qatar voices Gulf fears of military action against Iran

MERIP Basra, the Reluctant Seat of “Shiastan” Reidar Visser
There is No Ignoring the New Middle East State System By: Claire Spencer The Daily Star With the language of multiple and inter-related crises dominating descriptions of the Middle East, it is easy to believe that the Arab state is fragmenting into fiefdoms, sectarian strife and trans-nationally inspired chaos. Yet of the 22 member states of the Arab League, only three - Sudan, Iraq and Lebanon - show signs of current or potential collapse.

BULLETIN No.179

Washington Institute Can Syria Come in from the Cold? Will the upcoming Baghdad conference and Arab Summit give Syria a chance to improve its regional standing, or will its isolation continue? Seth Wikas assesses the regime's continuing struggles to balance competing political interests.
A New Middle East: The Israel-Syria-Lebanon Triangle Uri Lubrani, Eyal Zisser, Moshe Arens
Al Hayat The Non-Peaceful State between Syria and Lebanon Hassan Haydar - Despite its withdrawal from Lebanon, Syria still has a hand in Lebanon’s affairs and policy. It is also in a state of declared war with a large segment of the Lebanese.
Is US Supporting Brotherhood Activities in Syria?
Ex-U.S. secretary of state Baker calls for broad talks with Syria
SyriaComment Counting Lebanon’s Shiites as Slaves: Why the Lebanon Deal is Obstructed
EU plans to restart high-level contacts with Syria Solana to visit Damascus for talks on Lebanon, Mideast peace; EU reaffirms PA gov't must meet int'l demands
Solana to restore EU ties with Syria
Eldar Quiet, they're talking with Syria
US Will Use Baghdad Meet to Confront Iran, Syria Over Unrest: Official
Iraq Security Meeting Poses Risks for US Beyond Contact With Iran and Syria
U.S. Open to Talking About Iraq With Iran and Syria
Syria's envoy at secret talks to speak before Knesset committee
Syria Deploying Rockets on Border, Say Israeli Sources

Lebanon's price in Washington rises
By David Schenker
Foreign handling of crisis leaves little cause for faith in Lebanese leaders
Olmert 'planned Lebanon war before soldiers' kidnap'

Debka DEBKAfile Exclusive: Bowing to Washington, Olmert agrees to go directly and unconditionally to final-status talks with Palestinians
Olmert backs regional summit to discuss Saudi peace initiative Olmert: Israel is ready to take proposal 'seriously'; Abbas reiterates that Arab League won't alter initiative
Finger on the pulse At a time when the shift in U.S. policy is clearly visible, when new alliances rise and fall daily to accommodate new realities, when yesterday's enemy may be tomorrow's partner in dialogue, the primary goal of removing the Iranian nuclear threat must not be compromised. But, at the same time, we must reexamine Israel's interests daily rather than becoming entrenched in intransigence.
Eldar On the road from Mecca to Riyadh
Olmert backs regional summit to discuss Saudi peace initiative Olmert: Israel is ready to take proposal 'seriously'; Abbas reiterates that Arab League won't alter initiative
UN panel to Israel: Allow Palestinians to return to their land
Abbas tells Olmert: Gilad Shalit may be freed soon
Al-Qaida's no. 2 slams Hamas for agreeing to unity government Al-Zawahri: 'Hamas' leadership has finally caught Sadat's train of humiliation and surrender.'
Top Israeli Military Official Denies Olmert Ordered Them to Prepare for War
We need a strategy
PM: Concede right of return Olmert, Abbas agree that Saudi initiative could serve as basis for talks, but continue to disagree on right of return, Jerusalem and settlements. Palestinian source says leaders' meeting was difficult, but adds Abbas is optimistic
Olmert rethinks Saudi initiative (Josef Federman)
UN panel to Israel: Allow Palestinians to return to their land
Gideon Levy: Surprise - Most Israelis back a one-state solution

Christian Science Monitor Why 'soft partition' of Iraq won't work Most Iraqis wish their country to remain unified. By Joost Hiltermann
Washington Post The 'Surge' Is Succeeding By Robert Kagan
Christian Science Monitor Why 'soft partition' of Iraq won't work Most Iraqis wish their country to remain unified. By Joost Hiltermann
Iraq's neighbors take first cooperative steps
The conference promoted the legitimacy of Iraq's government and got Iran and US talking.
The End of Al Qaeda in Iraq
Iraq's neighbors take first cooperative steps The conference promoted the legitimacy of Iraq's government and got Iran and US talking.
New York Times Iraq’s Leader Asks for Aid in Curbing Strife Envoys for the U.S. and Iran avoided direct talks

Ha’aretz U.S. in talks with Israel, Saudi Arabia
The Peace Process / Only Saudi Arabia can do it
COMMENT AND ANALYSIS: Saudis head a rich field
Israel warms to Saudi Arabia peace initiative

BULLETIN No. 178

Jerusalem Post Report: Assad flips out at Ahmadinejad on phone

Forward War Clouds Gather Over the Golan Martin Van Creveld

While the world’s attention is riveted on the conflict in Iraq and a possible American attack on Iran, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad may be quietly preparing for a war against Israel

CSM Syria seeks to gain from regional tumult The isolation of Syria appears to be breaking as Damascus seeks deals with the Saudis and the Lebanese.

Weekly Standard Give Abboud the Boot: Why Does Syria Need Two Ambassadors in Washington?

Syria opposes any change to Saudi initiative

Christian Science Monitor Helena Cobban: Time is ripe for US to engage Syria

Daily Star Deal with Syria, but first impose Lebanese sovereignty By Michael Young

France's Foreign Policy Will Not Change Randa Takieddin - It would be better for the architect of Syria's diplomacy to expect that France's foreign policy will continue unchanged, since it was founded on resolutions passed by the international community and endorsed by EU nations.

Syria Today: Online and Hard-Line By: Guy Taylor | The Daily Star Paradoxes abound when it comes to the Internet in Syria, and a closer look reveals an authoritarian state apparently obsessed with manipulating the content of independent Web sites. While the government claims to be intent on spreading information technology to the masses, its desire to extend traditionally heavy-handed media restrictions into cyberspace raises the question of whether Syria's rulers merely seek to use the Internet as a tool to enhance their own power.

Agreement Seen in Schism Between Governing Factions By: Krystal Knapp | The Washington Times
A deal to end the standoff between Lebanon's U.S.-backed government and Hezbollah, the nation's worst political crisis since its 1975-1990 civil war, is expected to be finalized within the next few days, key political figures say.

Syria Denies Arms Crossing Border Into Lebanon

Lebanese politicians pour cold water on hopes that Beirut crisis will end soon

PM: Plan for Lebanon war made months in advance PM to war probe panel: Plan for wide military response to possible abduction of soldiers made last March

Washington Takes a Chance on Tehran By: Georg Mascolo and Bernhard Zand | Der Spiegel Good news from the war zone: Syria and Iran -- both countries that have shown little interest so far in relieving tensions in Iraq -- will take part in a conference in Baghdad this weekend in a development that has taken many by surprise. The mood in Washington is astonishingly upbeat after this radical shift in strategy.

Iran tells Hamas' Meshal: Keep 'resisting' Israel

Rosner: More in U.S. have an opinion - they support Israel

Danny Rubinstein: This is the time to free Marwan Barghouti

Jerusalem Post Our World: Israel's man in Mecca By CAROLINE GLICK Rather than reject the Saudi plan Ehud Olmert and Tzipi Livni are embracing it.

Accept the Saudi initiative By GERSHON BASKIN Iran's possible support for the Saudi plan is an incentive to say yes. Now the ball's in Olmert's court.

DEBKAfile Exclusive: Improved Iranian surface missiles for Palestinian Hamas and Jihad Islami bring 250,000 more Israeli civilians within range

BBC First Israeli report on 2006 war Israel's public watchdog reports on the Hezbollah war, but refrains from releasing controversial findings.

Palestine's argument: Mecca and beyond | Khaled Hroub

Daily Star Give Israelis peace, but take from them By Rami G. Khouri

Israeli Poll: Talk with Palestinians Only After Quartet's Conditions Fulfilled

UPI Analysis: Lifting the veil between Israeli Arabs and Jews

IDF raids Fatah offices

Hamas vows full truce if Israel helps end boycott

Palestinians see food shortages The World Food Programme has boosted the number of beneficiaries by 25 percent in an effort to stave off 'food insecurity.'

A review of Target Iran: The Truth About the US Government's Plans for Regime Change and a review of Iraq Confidential: The Untold Story of America's Intelligence Conspiracy by Scott Ritter.

Guardian Sunnis will not be persuaded that Iran is their real enemy Azzam Tamimi: Washington's attempt to pave the way for another invasion by fomenting anti-Shia sectarianism in the Middle East will fail.

Reading from a different scriptSimon Tisdall: Iran appears to be patching things up with Saudi Arabia and the policy may be bearing fruit. But it's a wild departure from the line promoted by the US.

IHT Try talk. You can use the stick later

Daily Star Riyadh-Tehran talks open a door for others to walk through

An Odd Couple The Economist
Iran and Saudi Arabia are Muslim heavyweights, the one a Shia republic and a sworn foe of the United States, the other a staunchly Sunni monarchy and America’s oldest Arab ally. Decades of quiet rivalry between the two, echoing ancient Arab-Persian tensions, have lately intensified over Iraq, Lebanon and Iran’s nuclear ambitions, among other things.

Al hayat A Chance for Iran and the Region Ghassan Charbel - The gravity of the situation has pushed Riyadh to put its weight at the service of active policies to contain and extinguish the fire on the basis of dialogue and the respect for interests, constants and balances that safeguard stability.

Al Awsat Are the Saudis Playing With Fire? : Tariq Alhomayed

BULLETIN No.177

Syria Ups Army Infrastructure Along Border With Israel
SyriaComment Saudis and Syrians …Brothers or Rivals?
Has a Lebanon Deal Been Clinched?

UPI Analysis: Lebanon coup jitters
Daily Star All of Bush's talk about helping Lebanon is just that - talk

Editorial: Israel must not reject the hand offered by S. Arabia
UPI Analysis: Who really makes Israeli policy?
Israeli and US Strikes on Iran: A Speculative Analysis Center for Strategic & International Studies
Washington Times Spy chief sees Hamas driven to Tehran The international community's decision to cut off financial aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian government has helped drive Hamas into the embrace of Iran, the chief of Israel's domestic spy agency said yesterday.
Israeli Says Iran Is Training Hamas Men
Abbas: EU is pro-Israel, discriminates against PA
IDF: Comptroller's report is full of errors
Only ending the Arab-Israeli conflict will turn PM into a great leader
Burston: The BBC poll - Israel as Satan's bastard child
Eldar What Arab initiative?
Schiff The home front is not prepared
Jerusalem Post Our World: Israel's man in Mecca
Washington Times Spy chief sees Hamas driven to Tehran The international community's decision to cut off financial aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian government has helped drive Hamas into the embrace of Iran, the chief of Israel's domestic spy agency said yesterday.
From Bad to Unthinkable - Mortimer B. Zuckerman (U.S. News)
Brothers in Arms: Fatah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad - Pinhas Inbari (ICA/JCPA)
Yedioth Ahronoth 'Israel behind PA poverty' Human rights organization B'Tselem presents comprehensive report on how Israel harms Palestinians' economy, livelihood. Report gives testimonies of abuse by soldiers at checkpoints, claims complaints are mostly ignored
'Iran trains Hamas militants'

Shin Bet chief: Training of operatives in Iran 'strategic danger' worse than arms smuggling
Israel seeks civilian nuclear power
Small But Important Steps on Iran, Hezbollah and Argentina

Washington Post Washington at War Is There a Plan B? No U.S. Backup Strategy For Iraq Outside Experts, Not White House, Discuss Options. Eager to appear resolute and reluctant to provide fodder for skeptics, U.S. officials rebuff questions about failure with a mix of optimism and evasion
How to Stop Genocide in Iraq By: Samantha Power Los Angeles Times What is needed to stave off even greater carnage than we see today is neither assuming massacres won't happen nor suspending thought until the surge has demonstrably failed in six months — at which point other options may no longer be viable. Rather, we must announce our intention to depart and use the intervening months to prioritize civilian protection by pursuing a bold set of measures combining political pressure, humanitarian relocation and judicial deterrence.
Independent Ali Allawi: The Occupation of Iraq We won the war, but lost the peace. In this exclusive extract from his definitive history of the conflict in Iraq, Ali Allawi explains how the conquering armies allowed victory to give way to anarchy
Rice picks neo-con champion on Iraq In a surprising move, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has appointed Eliot Cohen, a prominent neo-conservative hawk, to the post of State Department counselor. Perhaps she is just protecting her flank from criticism on the right as she pursues a more "realistic" diplomacy in the Middle East. - Jim Lobe
Fighting for Iraq’s Culture By MATTHEW BOGDANOSOur failure to appreciate the importance Iraqis place on their history has added to the chaos faced by our troops.
Parley's No Sellout By: Amir Taheri New York Post Contrary to the impression left by many, this coming weekend's international conference in Baghdad has nothing to do with last year's Baker-Hamilton panel. It's an idea first launched by Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari in 2005, and recently adopted by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Neighboring Countries 'Must Do More'
Iraq's deputy foreign minister discusses the government's expectations for an upcoming meeting of neighboring countries and other powers in Baghdad
Independent Ali Allawi: The Occupation of Iraq We won the war, but lost the peace. In this exclusive extract from his definitive history of the conflict in Iraq, Ali Allawi explains how the conquering armies allowed victory to give way to anarchy

The Pentagon plays war games with Iran Leaked reports of a recent Pentagon meeting only add to the mounting evidence that the US is preparing to attack Iran. In this context the recent "surge" of US troops is not meant to pacify Baghdad but to contain Iraqi Shi'ite fury in response to air strikes on Iran. George W Bush doesn't want to have to go to Syria and Iran and "ask for anything". - Gareth Porter
Christian Science Monitor Momentum for more Iran sanctions
The UN Security Council takes up the issue this week, ratcheting up pressure on Tehran

BULLETIN No.176

Gulf News Will the Lebanon circus end?
It may if the March 14 movement and Hezbollah accept the power sharing plan proposed by Amr Mousa. The Lebanese don't know what the future holds, given the open-ended political crisis that has gripped the nation.
Dar Al Hayat This is Lebanon
Zuheir Kseibati - For those who do not know the politicians, or do not listen: let them try for once to listen to the Lebanese citizens, when they say they prefer separation rather than a forcible union that generates only the culture of hatred! Let them try!
Managing The Crisis in Lebanon
Walid Choucair - If Tehran is engaged in ‘managing time’ to fend off the US pressures, as Stated by Dr. Ali Larijani, then Hezbollah’s relentless mobilization under Iranian-backed slogans will not serve this mission. Hence, the party is in a dire need to manage the internal crisis differently, especially since it is playing a critical role in this internal crisis.
Jerusalem Post Pro-Hizbullah supporters take to streetsScattered violence reported in ongoing effort to topple Saniora.
S. Lebanon: Villagers altercate with UN peacekeepers By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Yedioth Ahranot Protesters block Beirut roads Thousands of opposition supporters begin general strike called by Hizbullah leader Nasrallah to topple Lebanese government; major highways blocked with burning tires, army troops move in to remove obstacles
New York Times Veteran of Lebanon Campaigns Is Set to Lead Israeli Army By GREG MYRE
A former infantry officer who commanded Israeli troops against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon for many years was appointed as the military’s new chief of staff.
Israel names Lebanon veteran as new army chief
A former Israeli general with years of experience fighting Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrillas has been chosen as the chief of armed forces, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said in a statement on Monday.
Vision of Rebuilding Lebanon Wanes
The Saturday Profile: An Enigmatic Wild Card in Lebanon’s High-Stakes Politics
WP Hezbollah Widens Anti-Government Campaign: Protest Opens Promised Phase of Daily Demonstrations in Lebanese Capital
BBC Protesters barricade Beirut roads
Thousands of Lebanese opposition supporters block major roads in Beirut in support of a strike call.
Pressure builds for reform
In pictures: Beirut protests
The Lebanese crisis explained

The Economist Israel and Syria Why can't they just make peace?
Yedioth Ahronoth 'Assad called your bluff' Ibrahim Suleiman, negotiator in secret Israeli-Syrian talks, in exclusive interview with Ynet, reveals details of diplomatic contacts, peace proposal; says Syria serious about talks, blames US for torpedoing previous peace efforts
NRO MICHAEL LEDEEN: Was that tough-on-Iran-and-Syria talk just for show? “The Little-Bit-Pregnant Policy”
Der Spiegel Secret Middle East Talks: How Israel Passed Up a Chance for Peace with Syria
Yedioth Ahranot Talk to Syria, Isolate Iran
For Western countries, prime benefit of engaging Syria is isolating Iran
Washington Institute The Case Against Talks By Ehud Yaari
Syrian president Bashar al-Asad is apparently proposing peace talks with Israel. His aides are knocking at Ehud Olmert's door, from a distance. They exhort him to believe that their intentions are...
Iran Finances Pro-Assad Militias in Syria
Syrian Oil Production Dropped a Third Since 1996 (SANA-Syria)
Syria Comment Reactions to Revelations of Israeli-Syrian Unofficial Peace Negotiations
Israeli and Syrian Citizens Wrote Plan for Returning Golan Heights

Herzliya Conference Series on the Balance of Israel’s National Security January 21-24, 2007. Program Live VOD Speakers
Should Israel bomb Iran?William Rees-Mogg discusses both sides of the debate and invites your views

IHT Withdrawal is not an option HENRY A. KISSINGER Bush's bold decision to order a "surge" of American troops for Iraq has brought the debate over the war to a defining stage. There will not be opportunity for another reassessment.
Washington Post A Plausible Plan B By Charles KrauthammerThe Pentagon should be working on a sustainable Plan B whose major element would be not so much a drawdown of troops as a drawdown of risk to our troops. If we had zero American casualties a day, there would be as little need to withdraw from Iraq as there is to withdraw from the Balkans.

PINR "Intelligence Brief: Tensions Increase Between Iran and Saudi Arabia" Full text of report
Wall Street Journal How Rice Uses History Lessons Condoleezza Rice often cites the history of the Cold War to explain and justify the Bush administration's Middle East policy, leaving some scholars baffled.
Sunni allies give ‘qualified support’ for Bush’s Iraq strategy

BULLETIN No.175

Ha’aretz Secret understandings reached between representatives from Israel and Syria Draft includes Israeli withdrawal to 1967 line; Syria would end support for Hamas, Hezbollah, distance itself from Iran. By Akiva Eldar From Turkey, via Europe, to Syria The full text of the document Timeline of talks
Yedioth Ahronoth Understandings reached' Document of understandings for peace deal formulated in series of unofficial meetings between representatives from Israel, Syria and Europe, Haaretz reports. According to document, Israel will withdraw to lines of June 4, 1967
Jerusalem Post 'There was no breakthrough with Syria'PMO, Steinitz, Shalom deny report of agreements in talks between 2004-06
Christian Science Monitor Syria-Israel backdoor talks emerge Hizbullah's growing threat may drive Israel to fashion a peace deal with Syria.
Boston Globe Editorial A vision of Syrian-Israeli peace
Independent Leading article: Israel and Syria: a deal that will have to be done
Editorial Syria now Olmert's response to publication of the document that was agreed on in the secret talks creates the impression that Israel is frightened by the peace signals coming from Damascus and prefers to frighten the public with Syrian threats of war.
Reactions to Revelations of Israeli-Syrian Unofficial Peace Negotiations
Daniel Levy on "Draft Israeli-Syrian Peace Deal Revelation"
Tentative deal would have returned Golan Heights to Syria
Christian Science Monitor Peace framework for Israel, Syria?
Both nations deny Haaretz report that two years of secret discussions led to an 'understanding.
'Syria peace unrealistic'
Hizbullah leader Nasrallah estimates there's not much chance for peace between Israel, Syria
Jerusalem Post Skip the astrology, probe Syrian seriousness
Wall Street Journal Bush Has Managed to Divide & Conquer Mideast - Edward Luttwak The Sunni-U.S. alignment in Lebanon, which interestingly coexists with the U.S.-Shiite alliance in Iraq, may yet achieve results of strategic importance if Syria is successfully detached from its alliance with Iran.
What Iran and Syria want
Syria diplomat: No preconditions to negotiations with Israel
Debka Syrian Armed Forces Revamped
Nasrallah: Israeli-Syrian Pact Unrealistic
Good soldier of Syria
Nasrallah will topple Lebanon's government just to prevent a probe into the Hariri murder.
FT Talabani seeks better ties in Syria visit
Talabani Meets With Assad in Landmark Visit to Syria

US, Saudi Arabia back Moussa's Lebanon plan

Washington Post A New Chance for Peace? By Jimmy Carter, Israel will never find peace until it is willing to permit the Palestinians to exercise their basic human and political rights.
Daily TelegraphDan Halutz - fall guy for Olmert's failure
It would be good to see an experienced soldier-politician, such as Ehud Barak, take over the Israeli defence ministry, and let us hope that he is the right man for the job as Lt Gen Halutz's successor.
Olmert, Peretz said likely to clash over Halutz heir
Schiff The next IDF chief / Mission: Iran
Jerusalem Post Analysis: Why Halutz had to go By MAJ.-GEN. (RES.) GIORA ROMHalutz did not fully comprehend the cultural differences between the air force and the ground forces.

The Times Give us guns – and troops can go, says Iraqi leader
The New Bush Strategy in Iraq: Is Victory Still Possible? Source: Center for Strategic & International Studies
Washington Times The Bosnia model By Michael Djordjevich Will it work in Iraq?
Text of Bipartisan Resolution Opposing Iraq War Escalation (pdf)
Senate FRC Securing America’s Interests in Iraq:The Remaining Options.Regional Diplomatic Strategy
IHT A bad plan for the Middle East JAMES DOBBINS
In refusing to combine coercion with communication in its dealings with Iraq's neighbors, the Bush administration is making peace in Iraq less likely, and increasing the chances for war throughout the region.

America, Supplicant to Iran? By: Hossein Askari National InterestSecretary Rice’s stated reason for declining a dialogue with Iran was the fear that the United States might appear to assume “the role of supplicant.” I think Secretary Rice has missed the point: the United States has more problems than appearing to be a supplicant.

BULLETIN No.174

President's Address to the Nation (text – video) Highlights of the Iraq Strategy Review (PDF) ---Fact Sheet: The New Way Forward in Iraq ---- Background Briefing by Senior Administration Officials
Democracy Arsenal 10 Fallacies of Bush's New Strategy
NYT Editorial The Real Disaster Wednesday night was President Bush’s chance to stop offering more fog and be honest with the nation about Iraq, and he did not take it.
Military Analysis: Bid to Secure Baghdad Relies on Troops and Iraqi Leaders By MICHAEL R. GORDON
Bush’s Strategy for Iraq Risks Confrontations President Bush is taking a calculated gamble that the American people will give him more time to turn around the war in Iraq.
To Counter Iran’s Role in Iraq, Bush Moves Beyond Diplomacy
WP Analysis: As He Touts a 'Way Forward,' Bush Admits Errors of the Past
Editorial Mr. Bush's Strategy The president raises the number of troops -- and the level of risk -- in Iraq.
Hadley's Role: Bush's New Plan for Iraq Echoes Key Parts of Earlier Memo
The Mess at State By Robert D. Novak, The judgment by thoughtful Republicans is that Condoleezza Rice has failed to manage world diplomacy.
McClatchy Bush outlines new tactics for Iraq, but faces big obstacles
Fred Kaplan What happens if the Iraqis fail again?
The President's Face Showed Fear - Howard Fineman, Newsweek
Wall Street Journal Two Alliances Bush has managed to divide and conquer the Middle East. By BY EDWARD N. LUTTWAK It was the hugely ambitious project of the Bush administration to transform the entire Middle East by remaking Iraq into an irresistible model of prosperous democracy. Having failed in that worthy purpose, another, more prosaic result has inadvertently been achieved: divide and rule, the classic formula for imperial power on the cheap.
Forward Sharon Warned BushThe Strategic Interest Yossi Alpher
Sometime prior to March 2003, then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told President Bush privately in no uncertain terms what he thought about the Iraq plan. Sharon’s words — revealed here for the first time — constituted a friendly but pointed warning to Bush. Read more
Independent Robert Fisk: Bush's new strategy
Patrick Cockburn: Man who now holds Iraq's future in his hands
UPI Intelligence Watch: Target on Iran? Is U.S. President George W. Bush contemplating a U.S. air strike on Iran or permitting Israel to attempt one?
IraqSlogger US Papers Thurs: New Strategy in Iraq
Iraqi Papers Thursday: Sistani Chimes In
Amer Araim What Is the Recipe for Ending the War in Iraq? San Francisco Chronicle
Tony Karon Bush’s New Iraq Plan: Bomb Tehran
Independent Robert Fisk: A dictator created then destroyed by America
Iraq: A Nation Soaked in Blood Tears Itself Apart by Patrick Cockburn
Iraq: What to Expect After Saddam Hussein's ExecutionStratfor
RFE/RL Iraq: What Impact Will Hussein's Death Have?
New York Times Plan Sets Series of Goals for Iraq Leaders
Bush Plan for Iraq Requests More Troops and More Jobs
Washington Post Critics Say 'Surge' Is More of The Same Past Troop Buildups Have Not Quelled Iraq - Criticism grows in and outside White House that proposed troop buildup, economic aid and political benchmarks will not do much to stabilize Iraq.
The Smart Surge: Diplomacy By Wesley K. Clark
War Against Time Once Again, a U.S. Plan for Iraq Envisions Months Where Years Are Required By Jackson Diehl,
War's Toll on Iraqis Tripled in Late 2006 In first six months, 5,640 Iraqi civilians and police were killed; 17,310 were killed in latter half, according to data provided by a health official.
Independent on Sunday Future of Iraq: The spoils of war Iraq's massive oil reserves, the third-largest in the world, are about to be thrown open for large-scale exploitation by Western oil companies under a controversial law which is expected to come before the Iraqi parliament within days
Blood and oil: How West will profit from Iraq's precious commodity
One last push and that’s you finished in Iraq, Mr President SİMON JENKİNS The idea that such a hellhole can be policed back to normality with extra troops is absurdNew York Times Getting the Middle East Back on Our Side By BRENT SCOWCROFT
The 'Surge Strategy': Political Arguments and Military Realities Stratfor By George Friedman
AEI Choosing Victory: A Plan for Success in Iraq Executive Summary+ Full Report (PDF; 3.6 MB)
Alon Liel: Saddam's hanging will ultimately embarrass the U.S.
End of Another Year in Iraq Riverbend
McClatchy Analysts doubt Bush will benefit from Saddam's pending execution
UPI Analysis: Saddam's execution badly timed
NYT Justice, but No Reckoning By NAJMALDIN KARIM It is a great shame that Saddam Hussein will not be held accountable for all of his crimes, and a far greater tragedy that he was allowed, sometimes with American complicity, to commit them in the first place.
Poll: 90% of Iraqis Say Worse Off Than Before Invasion
Pentagon Maps Plans for Iraq Surge
Few New Ideas in Army's Surge Options for Iraq
Military Poll: More Troops Unhappy With Bush’s Course in Iraq
Juan Cole Saddam: The death of a dictator
NYT Obituary The Defiant Despot Oppressed Iraq for More Than 30 Years
Analysts Doubt Bush Will Benefit From Saddam's Execution

William Arkin War With Syria and Iran = Peace With Iraq?
U.S. to step up offensive against Iranians, Syrians in Iraq
Peace without Golan Like Turks, Israel must show determination in dealings with Syria Ynetnews
Israel's dilemma over Syria Seattle Post Intelligencer
Working Syria, Iran Into Talks on Iraq By: Paul Richter Los Angeles TimesAlthough President Bush has rejected proposals for direct talks with Syria and Iran over the future of Iraq, officials in his administration are working to find a way to include those countries in negotiations in a way that might be acceptable to Bush.
Israeli, Syrian officials gather in Spain to mark historic 1991 meet
Russia backs Syria in probe request (Nicholas Kralev)
Sanctions Imposed on Iran, Syria Arms Suppliers By: Bill Gertz The Washington Times
Syria seen as moving away from Iran World Peace Herald

PINR "Lebanon: A Strained Political Stalemate" Full text of report
Hezbollah Widens Anti-Government Campaign Protest Opens Promised Phase of Daily Demonstrations in Lebanese Capital
Daily Star Lebanese need to understand that democracy is not a free ride
Michael J Totten Hezbollah's Christian Allies MI chief: Al-Qaida militants in Lebanon planning attacks
Israel Harel: Gaza pullout, Lebanon war were strategic failures

Ha’aretz Meshal: Hamas recongizes existence of State of Israel as established fact
Bar’el Hamas and Israel / Road map to recognition
Jerusalem Post Israel and Hamas downplay Mashaal's comments Israeli diplomat: "Saying Israel is an established fact is just a recognition of reality, it doesn't say they accept this fact."
Sunday Times Israel plans nuclear strike Air force squadrons are training to blow up Iran's uranium-enrichment facility using low-yield nuclear “bunker-busters”, according to several Israeli military sources
Leader A giant and scary leap Israel is planning an audacious attack on Iran's nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan, and Arak. How seriously should we take this threat of action?
Yedioth Ahronoth Is nuke attack realistic?
Analysis: Israel's numerous war wounds By ANSHEL PFEFFER
Beyond the long list of those killed and injured, what was the most serious damage the war caused us?
Dahlan to Haaretz: We proved to Hamas that Gaza is not theirs