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M IDDLE E AST P EACE P ROCESS
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Diplomacy 'Reset' Worries Some U.S. Allies
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123634233183252441.html
By JAY SOLOMON and MARC CHAMPION
MARCH 7, 2009

Brown Tells Congress To 'Seize This Moment'
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/04/AR2009030400304.html
By Ben Pershing, Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, March 5, 2009; Page A12

 

 

 

 

 

 

Netanyahu's Middle East Outlook
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/27/AR2009022702278.html
Interview by Lally Weymouth
Saturday, February 28, 2009; A13

 

 

Reports: English town wants to twin with Gaza City
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/shared-gen/ap/Europe/EU_Britain_Worcester_Gaza.html?cxntlid=inform_sr
Reports: English town wants to twin with Gaza City
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1103ap_eu_britain_worcester_gaza.html
Reports: English town wants to twin with Gaza City
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/26/AR2009022603258.html
By RAPHAEL G. SATTER, The Associated Press
Thursday, February 26, 2009; 7:47 PM

Arab League chief praises Obama, Mitchell
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/shared-gen/ap/US_Presidential_Cabinet/US_Mideast.html?cxntlid=inform_sr
Arab League secretary general says he now has 'a little hope'
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-mideast,0,5366255.story
Arab League chief praises Obama, Mitchell
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1152ap_us_mideast.html
Arab League chief praises Obama, Mitchell
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/25/AR2009022502553.html
By BARRY SCHWEID, The Associated Press
Wednesday, February 25, 2009; 3:54 PM

 

 

 

 

Window closing for a two-state solution in the Middle East
By Howard LaFranchi | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
from the February 17, 2009 edition
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0217/p01s02-usfp.html

 

 

Gadhafi up to old tricks in new way
By TAREK EL-TABLAWY, Associated Press Writer
February 16, 2009 - 12:20 p.m. EST
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-gen/ap/Middle_East/AF_Libya_Deconstructing_Gadhafi.html?cxntlid=inform_sr

Gadhafi up to old tricks in new way
By TAREK EL-TABLAWY, ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
Last updated February 16, 2009 9:20 a.m. PT
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1107ap_af_libya_deconstructing_gadhafi.html

 

 

OPINION: Jimmy Carter and the Camp David Myth - It was only by putting aside the Palestinian issue that Mideast peace progress was made
FEBRUARY 13, 2009
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123449113090380603.html

GUEST COLUMN: Two states best for Israel, Palestinians
By SHIMON PERES
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/opinion/stories/2009/02/11/peresed_0211.html?cxntlid=inform_sr

OP-ED: One Region, Two States
By Shimon Peres
Tuesday, February 10, 2009; Page A17
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/09/AR2009020902098.html

Op-Ed Contributor: Why the Muslim World Can’t Hear Obama
By ALAA AL ASWANY
Published: February 7, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/opinion/08aswany.html

George Mitchell and the end of the two-state solution - Israel's settlement growth means we have to find a different plan.
By Sandy Tolan
from the February 04, 2009 edition
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0204/p09s01-coop.htm

Opinion Global View: Iraq Is Obama's Mideast Pillar As an Arab democracy, it's a model for what we would like the rest of the Arab world to become.
February 3, 2009
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123362313953841821.html


Two-state solution one too many
By John Collins
Sunday, February 01, 2009
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/printedition/2009/02/01/collinsed0201.html?cxntlid=inform_sr

Op-Ed: Abdullah II: The 5-State Solution
By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
Published: January 27, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/opinion/28friedman.html?scp=90&sq=Israel&st=cse

OPINION EUROPE: Do Palestinians Really Want a Two-State Solution?
By JOSEF JOFFE | From today's Wall Street Journal Europe
JANUARY 27, 2009
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123301610441317741.html

Op-Ed Contributors - How Words Could End a War
By SCOTT ATRAN and JEREMY GINGES
Published: January 24, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/opinion/25atran.html?scp=15&sq=israel%20and%20palestine&st=cse

Op-Ed Columnist: This Is Not a Test
By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
Published: January 24, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/opinion/25friedman.html?scp=7&sq=Israel&st=cse

OPINION: THE WEEKEND INTERVIEW: Benjamin Netanyahu
By BRET STEPHENS
JANUARY 24, 2009
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123275466964911679.html

OPINION EUROPE: Is Turkey Still a Western Ally?
by Soner Cagaptay
JANUARY 22, 2009, 5:02 P.M. ET
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123266156689407459.html

Op-Ed Contributor - The One-State Solution
By MUAMMAR QADDAFI
Published: January 21, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/opinion/22qaddafi.html?scp=13&sq=Israel&st=cse

  • Washington Post: The Elections Are Coming. Is Al-Qaeda?, by Bruce Riedel (10 August 2008).
    This op-ed about global terrorism analyzes the tactics of terrorist groups without mentioning the motivating factors - for example the outrageous injustices that Israel heaps on the Palestinian people. If these injustices were treated properly as the crimes they are then this would take a lot of steam out of the terrorist network.

  • Los Angeles Times: Israel’s unhappy exit strategy, by Daniel Jonah Goldhagen (8 August 2008).
    This op-ed reviews six options open to Israel for dealing with populist terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas. The problem is that none of them really work very well, and many of them involve devastating human rights consequences which Israel and the world find unaceeptable. The author wishes to remind us that such a factor might be unavoidable because of what Israel is fighting (Islamic fundamentalism), which means that Israel is not just fighting for itself, but for all of us, as it seeks to restore a global balance between the non-secular civilized world and the extremist religious one. The author however can not imagine the idea that maybe the extremists are right about Israel although without knowing it - that Israel really is a criminal state that should not exist unless the true majority population votes it in - which itself is unimaginable.

  • Wall Street Journal: There Won't Be 'Peace' Without Democracy, by Natan Sharansky and Bassem Eid (8 August 2008).
    This op-ed postulates that true peace won't occur until Palestinian civil society itself develops as well, which the lack of the article blames completely on the Palestinians, not mentioning at all the role Israel has played in destroyed Palestinian society since before 1948.

  • Chicago Tribune: New view on Mideast needed, by Yousef Munayyer (1 August 2008).
    This article describes how the US and Israel remain the hated countries in the Middle East, while Iran is hated much less, and the Palestinian cause is of highest priority. This requires Obama and/or McCain to radically re-think their views of the Middle East from how it has been, especially under Bush which has included very visible hypocrisy concerning nuclear weapons (Israel vs. Iran) and negotiation with enemies (forcing Palestine to negotiate with Israel as Israel refuses to halt settlement expansion and other illegal and inhumane measures). The author is an official with the ADC.

  • Washington Post: Innocents Abroad: The U.S. failed to recognize the significance of the radical Islamists, by Fredrik Logevall (6 July 2008).
    This book review covers a history book that examines the history of two "waves" of Islamic nationalism - first secular political "wave" typified by Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, and then the rise of the fundamentalist Islamic "wave" after. The problem is that the author of this review and the author of the book itself seem to see these movements only as a reaction to the West instead of the natural human expression of the desire for self-determination, and then when it comes to reaction to the West they trivialize the role of Zionism in offending Arab sense of right and wrong and fairness as that movement violates practically every basic principle of democracy and civility with almost unconditional support from the West.

  • Los Angeles Times: Forget us versus them, by Timothy Garton Ash (3 July 2008).
    Liberalism at home - helping immigrants become better citizens while they are here, and liberal internationalism - become stronger but also reach out to countries and support development of "freedom, toleration, reciprocity and accountable government" in a more cooperative way than the Bush administration has tried. But it doesn't realize how much our hypocrisy has hurt us as well - like supporting the non-democratic and colonialist and apartheid policies of Israel.

  • Los Angeles Times: Talking isn't appeasement, by Wendy R. Sherman (2 July 2008).
    This op-ed describes the death of Bush's push to consider talking to enemies as a form of appeasement as negotiations between the USA and North Korea and between Israel and some of its enemies proceed and bear fruit. The author also discusses past negotiations giving many examples of where negotiations with an enemy bore fruit or were disastrous - the difference is not that the negotiation was with an enemy but the level of preparation, timing, leverage, etc.

  • Los Angeles Times: Swapping live terrorists for dead soldiers, by Benny Morris (1 July 2008).
    This op-ed by the famous Israeli historian Benny Morris, voices his criticism of the prisoner exchange just arranged by Israeli PM Olmert which exchanges two dead Israeli soldiers for numbers of enemy soldiers and terrorists, because it sets a price on Israeli soldiers and encourages future kidnapping and more.

  • New York Times: Editorial: Israel’s Diplomatic Offensive (30 June 2008).
    This article congratulates Israel for its practicality in ignoring Bush's policy of not negotiating with its enemies, but the author misses the point that the problem is actually that Israel violates many basic laws - it is not just a matter of the two groups distrusting each other or having communications problems, and only when Israel is forced to stop such policies will there be true justice and peace in the region.

  • Washington Post: Talking Into the Sunset, by David Ignatius (24 July 2008).
    This article briefly summarizes the negotiations between the Syrians and the Israelis, and the initial contact that has been planned between the US and Iran.

  • Boston Globe: Globe Editorial: Syria's winding road to peace (19 July 2008).
    Israel's negotiations with Syria are in opposition to the Bush doctrine to not talk to one's enemies in order to isolate them, and is frightening to Iran who is afraid of losing an ally. Thus Bush's blindness keeps him from seeing how talking to an enemy can mean the enemy might change.

  • New York Times: "Pariah Diplomacy", by President Jimmy Carter (28 April 2008)
    Email supportive emails of President Jimmy Carter's NY Times response to his critics wherein he describes the importance of not being isolationist in contrast to Bush's policies which actually seems to make heroes of those he labels with terms like "axis of evil". You can email the New York Times at [email protected].

  • Wall Street Journal: "The Sad End of Jimmy Carter" (25 April 2008)
    Please send letters protesting this commentary by Bernard-Henri Lavy in the Wall Street Journal which is full of strange assertions, and out-right misconceptions, some of which are inflamatory and exploit fears and thus only increase or reinforce misunderstandings and prejudice. Especially important is that this author (and most critics of Carter) fails to mention or acknowledge that Carter is not in the Middle East on a personal whim, but is representing the highly regarded group, "The Elders", whose members include other Peace Nobel laureates and world re-known emissaries of peace and human rights such as Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan, and others, who are getting involved across the world in the most difficult and violent of conflicts, such as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people, which seem both intractable and serious. Carter, and the group he represents are worth listening to and taking seriously. Please also remind the WSJ that printing inaccuracies and exaggerations, reinforcing misunderstandings and inciting hatred and prejudice only hurts our democracy. You can write the Wall Street Journal at [email protected].

  • Chicago Tribune: A whiff of peace? (4 June 2008).
    This editorial supports the US supporting talks between Israel and Syria, and not avoiding them as has been the policy up to now, largely because if they succeed they might actually help undermine the Iranian web of influence over such groups as Hamas and Hezbollah.

  • Chicago Tribune: Cutting off Hamas is just not the answer, by Mohamad Bazzi (4 June 2008).
    This Op-Ed describes how the Bush/Israeli policy of refusing to speak with enemies is counter-productive because it radicalizes the public and increases sympathy for the extremists they are trying to isolate. The author gives the example of how our efforts to isolate the PLO led to support for Hamas whom are even more extreme.

  • New York Times: Peace Fills a Vacuum, by Hussein Agha and Robert Malley (3 June 2008).
    This article describes the irony of 3 different diplomatic efforts that seemed to have evolved out of the Annapolis peace effort, but which are developing in opposing directions without Bush's help, and away from what Bush, the founder of the Annapolis effort, anticipated or recommends. The 3 discussions are (1) between Israel and Hamas, (2) between Israel and Syria, and (3) between the Lebanese government and Hezbollah. The article discusses the loss of respect for Bush in the region as a major reason for this contrarian development, which is yet still aimed toward increasing the peace in the region. These authors theorize that the loss of respect can be attributed largely to Bush's policies of not talking with enemies, but also this growing disrespect is due to Bush's refusal to do anything about Israel's refusal to halt settlement expansion in violation of Annapolis agreements, which exposed Bush's true bias toward Israel.

  • Los Angeles Times: Who Gets the Golan?, by Yossi Klein Halevi (28 May 2008).
    The author of this op-ed describes the tangled web of possible responses to Israel negotiating with Syria over who gets the Golan, but the main recommendation is distrust.

  • Boston Globe: Editorial: At Peace Talks, No Sign of US (23 May 2008).
    This Editorial describes a situation where going aqainst Bush's doctrine against talking to your enemies is actually good for America - Israel's negotiations with Syria trading the Golan Heights for Syria no longer allying itself with Iran and Hezbollah. There are many other examples as well of where it was beneficial to go against Bush's arrogant isolationist ideas - for example his own discussions with North Korea and with Libya.

  • New York Times: Talking with the Enemy (23 May 2008).
    Here is another op-ed criticizing Bush's speech advocating not negotiating with enemies until pre-conditions are met, largely by describing how his own administration and its closest allies don't follow the policy. This especially makes sense with Hamas since it was elected to its government position by the people of Palestine.

 

NEWS ANALYSIS: At Arab Gathering on Development, the Talk Is All About Gaza
By MICHAEL SLACKMAN
Published: January 21, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/world/middleeast/22arab.html?scp=24&sq=israel%20gaza&st=cse

Qatar: Future Muslim leaders seek fresh path
By Caryle Murphy | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
from the January 20, 2009 edition
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0120/p07s01-wogn.html

  • Atlanta Journal Constitution: Gulf states turn oil wealth into glitter at home, influence abroad, by Liz Sly (5 October 2008).
    This article focuses on the oil-rich kingdoms of the Arab peninsula who are looking toward thriving in a post-oil era. Thus for example Qatar has diplomatic relations with both Israel and Iran, and is getting involved in peace negotiations.

  • Washington Post: LEBANON: Parliament to Vote On New Government (5 August 2008).
    A new Lebanese government forms with Hezbollah a strong participant having a veto vote in the new cabinet.

  • Christian Science Monitor: The contenders to be Israel's next prime minister, compiled by Corinne Chronopoulos (1 August 2008).
    This article gives brief biographies of Tzipi Livni, the front-runner, Shaul Mofaz (Iranian born with military background) and Benjamin Netanyahu(major Hawk and chairman of Likud party).

  • Washington Post: Transition in Israel: The next U.S. president may find a less willing partner for Middle East peace negotiations (1 August 2008).
    This article describes how the new US President faces many obstacles to making Israel/Palestine peace negotiations a high priority including ongoing Israeli intransigence on the key issues.

  • Christian Science Monitor: Olmert to resign as Israeli prime minister, by Joshua Mitnick (31 July 2008).

  • Washington Post: Olmert Declares Intent to Step Down, by Linda Gradstein (31 July 2008).

  • Christian Science Monitor: How the best and the brightest plan to fight terrorism, by Iason Athanasiadis (29 July 2008).
    This article describes the latest in academic training in fighting global terrorism. Included is an audience response to a student's suggestion to rethink our unconditional support for Israel (tense silence), as well as our interference with Hezbollah and Hamas leading to alienation of the Arab world.

  • Washington Post: Arab Aid to Palestinians Often Doesn't Fulfill Pledges, by Glenn Kessler (27 July 2008).
    This article describes how Arab countries have failed to fulfill their pledges of financial support for the PA. The main reason is distrust of the PA and resentment of how Israel still controls everything. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the PA have put much pressure on these countries but have had little success.

  • New York Times: Funerals in Israel for Two Soldiers, by Myra Noveck and Graham Bowley (18 July 2008).
    This article described the funerals and sadness in Israel that resulted from the prisoner swap with Hezbollah that returned two dead soldiers, and described Israel's tradition of surrendering much to get back its soldiers who are prisoners.

  • Los Angeles Times: Israel grieves for Regev and Goldwasser, by Richard Boudreaux (17 July 2008).
    This very biased report describes the mourning of the Israeli public and families for the dead soldiers returned by Hezbollah in a prisoner swap while it portrays Hezbollah and Hamas as ruthless and devious as it seems to contradict itself about whether the soldiers were captured alive or killed in captivity or what.

  • New York Times: Yielding Prisoners, Israel Receives 2 Dead Soldiers, by Isabel Kershner (17 July 2008).
    This article described the funerals and sadness in Israel that resulted from the prisoner swap with Hezbollah that returned two dead soldiers, and described Israel's tradition of surrendering much to get back its soldiers who are prisoners. The article also described the hardening of feelings against each other.

  • Washington Post: Israel Mourns, Hezbollah Exults, by Griff Witte and Alia Ibrahim (17 July 2008).
    This article describes the divergent reactions to the swap in Lebanon and Israel, which amounted mostly to a trade of dead for living soldiers. Hezbollah considered the trade a victory, while many Israelis doubted the wisdom of the trade.

  • Los Angeles Times: Hezbollah turns over two coffins to Israel, by Richard Boudreaux (16 July 2008).
    This article describes the prisoner swap as bringing to a close the 2006 Israeli attack on Lebanon in response to the kidnapping of two soldiers who now have been returned dead to Israel. The article describes the celebration on the Hezbollah side who consider the final result a victory vs. the mourning and discord in Israel in response to the swap. But most in Israel approve.

  • New York Times: Hero’s Welcome Expected in Lebanon for Captive of Israel, by Craig S. Smith (16 July 2008).
    This article gives a brief biography f Samir Kuntar who has been released back to Hezbollah in a prisoner swap with Israel, and some of the trial details which convicted him of a terrorist slaying of a father and his 5 year old daughter, which he denied.

  • Chicago Tribune: Date set for Hezbollah prisoner swap (14 July 2008).
    This short article describes the POW swap between Hezbollah and Israel which is scheduled to take place next Wednesday.

  • Washington Post: Around the World: THE MIDDLE EAST: Police Shot in Jerusalem - Hezbollah Sends Report (13 July 2008).
    This article describes a shooting incident in Jerusalem where a Palestinian shot two Israeli policemen and then escaped, and then describes a rocket attack from Gaza, and then describes a report about a missing airman sent to Israel by Hezbollah.

  • Christian Science Monitor: Shebaa Farms: key to stability?, by Nicholas Blanford (8 July 2008).
    "Claimed by Lebanon and occupied by Israel, it will get new attention as the two countries' last remaining major dispute if a Hezbollah-Israeli prisoner swap is successful."

  • Washington Post: An Unwelcome Hero: Hezbollah bargains for a child-killer's freedom (7 July 2008).
    This editorial acknowledges the importance of negotiations in developing a lasting peace in the Middle East, but also says that progress will also be made when all nations in the region agree that child killers of all groups (such as Samir Kuntar) should be punished forever (and not be a bargaining chip in peace negotiations).

  • Christian Science Monitor: Reality check on Middle East talks, by Rayyan Al-Shawaf (2 July 2008).
    This article describes the positions and leverage of Israel, Hamas, Syria and lebanon in the negotiations going on.

  • Chicago Tribune: Israeli Cabinet approves Hezbollah prisoner swap, by Joel Greenberg (30 June 2008).
    This article describes the prisoner swap between Israel and Hezbollah, which sets some precedents - mainly the swapping of the living for the dead. It is seen by many as a victory for Hezbollah and has thus inflamed an intense public debate in Israel. The article also describes opening border to Gaza a bit to allow supplies through, and killing a Palestinian teenager in the West Bank

  • Chicago Tribune: Israel Approves Hezbollah Hostage Swap,
    San Francisco Chronicle: Israel OKs Hezbollah swap pact,
    both articles by Ashraf Khalil (30 June 2008).
    Both articles describes the prisoner swap between Israel and Hezbollah, which sets some precedents - mainly the swapping of the living for the dead. It is seen by many as a victory for Hezbollah and has thus inflamed an intense public debate within Israel for both reasons.

  • New York Times: Israel Agrees to Exchange Prisoners for Dead Soldiers, by Ethan Bronner (30 June 2008).
    This article describes the debate over the POW swap, which actually included 2 dead soldiers for Israel. This negotiation with Hezbollah, which is an enemy of Israel, is simultaneous with negotiations with another enemy of Israel, Hamas, which covers both a truce and POW release.

  • Washington Post: Israel to Free Prisoners - Swap With Hezbollah Involves Abducted Soldiers, by Griff Witte (30 June 2008).
    This article describes the struggle by Israel to negotiate the release of POWs/

  • Chicago Tribune: Diplomacy, not threats, scores win for Bush, by Steven Lee Myers (27 June 2008).
    This article describes the shift in Bush administration philosophy to negotiating with enemies rather than ignoring them or attempting to isolate them.

  • Boston Globe: Realism must rule in engaging Syria, by Michael Bergman (23 July 2008).
    This article discusses the possibility of upcoming talks with Syria and USA. It discusses the new openness and cooperativeness of Syria's President al-Assad and some of the issues that might come up - especially the problems facing Israel giving back the Golan Heights and Syria's interference in Lebanon and relations with Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

  • New York Times: Israel in the Season of Dread, by Ethan Bronner (22 July 2008).
    This article describes the general state of dread and pessimism in Israel where many see the Hamas truce as a victory for Hamas, and where many are obsessed with bringing home the kidnapped soldiers who are most likely dead.

  • Washington Post: A Conversation with King Abdullah of Jordan, by Lally Weywouth (22 June 2008). In this interview, King Abdullah sees the Israeli/Palestinian conflict as the main threat, and the fact that soon the possibility for a two-state solution will be dead, not Iran and its nuclear program, and he opposes military action against Iran which he says will only increase conflict. He sees the death of the two-state solution as a major problem because it will motivate the spread of extremism, but he also says that the other positive development is the willingness to negotiate between the moderates and the extremists (in contrast to Bush's isolationism). He also says that we should be giving a lot more support to Fatah instead of only trying to isolate Hamas.

  • Argus Leader: Controversy fails to deter ex-senator, by Peter Harriman (20 June 2008).
    This article describes the efforts of ex-Senator Jim Abourezk to reach out to Hamas, in addition to Syria and Lebanon, and in addition to his efforts to inform the American public about the truth of Israeli oppression against the Palestinian people.

  • Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Israel proposes talks with Lebanon, by Ethan Bronner and Robert F. Worth (19 June 2008).
    This article describes the political dynamics around Israel's outreach to Lebanon. Much of it centers around the future of Shebaa Farms, which the Lebanese (including Hezbollah) claim for Lebanon, but which the Israelis control as part of their occupation and annexation of the Syrian Golan, and around how to deal with Hezbollah, which Israel and the West view as a terrorist group, and a client group of Syria. But then Israel is also working on a prisoner swap with Hezbollah.

  • New York Times: Israel Offers Lebanon Talks on Peace, and Land, by Ethan Bronner and Robert F. Worth (19 June 2008).
    This article describes how Hezbollah and Lebanon are under the influence of Syria and Iran, and that when Israel reaches out to the former, it means reaching out to the latter. But Israel has been reaching out to Syria already. The article goes on to describe some particularly tough issues, such as the future of Shebaa Farms which is on the border between Israel, Lebanon and the Syrian Golan, which Israel occupies.

  • Philadelphia Inquirer: Gaza truce just part of Israel's overtures - Its cease-fire with Hamas was to start today. Now, Israel has asked Lebanon to open peace talks., by Griff Witte (19 June 2008).
    This article describes Israeli negotiations with Hamas, Hezbollah, Syrians and its overtures to Lebanon, in contradition to Bush's policy of isolation of enemies, which Israel previously also followed. But Lebanon is not positive on the idea because of Israel continuing to hold the Shebaa Farm area.

  • Washington Post: Israel Proposes Peace Talks With Lebanon, by Griff Witte (19 June 2008). This article describes the flurry of negotiations between Israel and its neighbors. However, Lebanon is refusing because of Israel's past actions toward it. Many in Israel believe that a major reason Olmert is pursuing all these negotiations is to distract from the scandal that is enveloping his administration, but also have hopes that maybe some quiet will come from it.

  • Washington Post: Truce in Gaza - A Middle East conflict is postponed (19 June 2008). This article describes one motivation for Israel reaching out to Hamas is that the Gaza blockade has become a major motivator for extremism, but the effort to weaken Hamas has been hampered by failure to significantly strengthen and support Abbas in the West Bank, and the scandal enveloping the Olmert administration in Israel. And for both these reasons many theorize that Olmert has turned toward negotiations with others (Syria, Hezbollah, Lebanon) to distract from these problems.

  • Miami Herald: Israel, Hamas near six-month cease-fire, by Dion Nissenbaum (18 June 2008).
    This article discusses the Hamas/Israeli truce, saying both sides see it as fragile but holding potential. If this truce holds, then the borders could be opened by Israel, and the rocket attacks will stop from Gaza, but the return of the captured soldier in Gaza is not part of this deal according to Hamas. These talks parallel talks between Israel and Hezbollah who hold two soldiers captive.

  • New York Times: Israel Seems to Make Progress in Talks, by Isabel Kershner (17 June 2008).
    This article describes the progress in talks between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel and Hamas, and Israel and Syria. But some think Olmert is pursuing these talks to distract from his scandal problems back in Israel.

  • Chicago Tribune: U.S. a non-factor in peace efforts: Mideast talks counter White House strategy, by Robin Wright (22 May 2008).
    All around the Middle East enemies are talking and negotiating in direct conflict with the recommendations of US President George Bush..

  • Chicago Tribune: Israel sets out on 'new path': Acknowledges talks with Syria, snubs U.S. stand, by Samuel Sockol and Ellen Knickmeyer (21 May 2008).
    This article suggests that Israel is pursuing a new path which defies the US and pursues peace with its enemy-neighbors on its own.

  • New York Times: France admits contacts with Hamas, by Steven Erlanger (20 May 2008)
    San Francisco Chronicle: France confirms Hamas contacts: Disclosure follows Bush comment on Nazi appeasement,
    Washington Post: France discloses 'contacts' with Hamas,
    later two articles by Molly Moore (20 May 2008).
    These 3 articles described the controversy caused when France recently admitted shortly after Bush made a major speech condemning talking with enemies that it had been holding talks with Hamas.

  • New York Times: Defying Israel, Carter meets Hamas leader, by Robert F. Worth (19 May 2008).
    This article gives a very objective account of President Jimmy Carter's meeting with Hamas leadership, and what he asked for. However, as with most reports on this meeting, it did not describe what the leaders of Hamas asked for. The article finished mentioning Israeli plans to continue expanding settlements in the West Bank.

  • Washington Post: Iran remains key concern as Bush returns, by Michael Abramowitz (19 May 2008).
    This article describes mixed feelings amongst Arab leaders about Bush's peace efforts and efforts to isolate Iran and Syria whom he says support terrorism, and of course their nuclear ambitions as well. One of the obstacles described is that Bush is seen as not worth supporting because he only has a few months left in office.

  • New York Times: Israel and Syria hint at progress on Golan Heights deal, by Isabel Kershner (24 May 2008).

  • New York Times: Blair unveils proposals to improve life on the West Bank, by Isabel Kershner (14 May 2008).
    This article describes the efforts of Tony Blair, envoy of the Quartet, to make changes in the occupation which would make it easier in the daily lives of Palestinian people living in the West Bank. This included mostly economic development projects as well as measures to ease restrictions on movement through the West Bank. This is seen as a way to support to efforts of PA President Mahmoud Abbas to work toward the two-state solution. But once again the only problem is Israeli restrictions on all of their plans.

  • New York Times: The Day After Peace: Designing Palestine, by James Bennet (15 May 2008).
    This article describes a plan for a Palestinian State put together by American professional city planners that includes a transportation-communications-utility arc stretching from Jenin in the north through to Jerusalem in the center and onto Nablus in the south and then across to Gaza, reactions to it from an array of Palestinians, Israelis and others both technically and politically.

...more...

 
Video games, comics, pop culture features new Arab heroes
By TAREK EL-TABLAWY | AP Business Writer
12:12 PM CST, February 15, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-ml-mideast-searching-for-heroes,0,1642285.story

In pop culture, new heroes emerge in Arab world
By TAREK EL-TABLAWY, AP BUSINESS WRITER
Last updated February 15, 2009 10:12 a.m. PT
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/1700ap_ml_mideast_searching_for_heroes.html

In pop culture, new heroes emerge in Arab world
By TAREK EL-TABLAWY, The Associated Press
Sunday, February 15, 2009; 1:12 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/15/AR2009021500542.html

Solana: Unity govt in Israel good for peace talks
By DESMOND BUTLER, Associated Press Writer
February 13, 2009 - 11:37 a.m. EST
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-gen/ap/Middle_East/US_EU_Middle_East.html?cxntlid=inform_sr

EU foreign policy chief Solana says unity government in Israel would help Mideast peace talks
By DESMOND BUTLER | Associated Press Writer
10:37 AM CST, February 13, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-eu-middle-east,0,2218335.story

Solana: Unity govt in Israel good for peace talks
By DESMOND BUTLER, ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
Last updated February 13, 2009 8:37 a.m. PT
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1107ap_us_eu_middle_east.html

Solana: Unity govt in Israel good for peace talks
By DESMOND BUTLER, The Associated Press
Friday, February 13, 2009; 11:37 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/13/AR2009021301372.html

Clinton to attend Gaza conference in Cairo: Egypt
By MATTHEW LEE, The Associated Press
Thursday, February 12, 2009; 4:17 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/12/AR2009021202187.html

Egypt says Clinton will attend conference on Gaza
by Sue Pleming, Reuters
Thursday, February 12, 2009; 4:34 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/15/AR2009021501368.html

Europe fearful about impact of Israeli elections
By GREGORY KATZ, Associated Press Writer
February 11, 2009 - 11:15 a.m. EST
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-gen/ap/Europe/EU_Europe_Israel_Peace_Fears.html?cxntlid=inform_sr

Europe fearful about impact of deadlocked Israeli elections on U.S.-backed peace process
By GREGORY KATZ | Associated Press Writer
10:15 AM CST, February 11, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-eu-europe-israel-peace-fears,0,914547.story

Europe fearful about impact of Israeli elections
By GREGORY KATZ, ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
Last updated February 11, 2009 8:15 a.m. PT
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1103ap_eu_europe_israel_peace_fears.html

Europe fearful about impact of Israeli elections
By GREGORY KATZ, The Associated Press
Wednesday, February 11, 2009; 11:15 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/11/AR2009021101653.html

French foreign minister urges Gaza border open
By FOSTER KLUG, Associated Press Writer
February 5, 2009 - 4:16 p.m. EST
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-gen/ap/US_Presidential_Cabinet/US_France.html?cxntlid=inform_sr

French foreign minister urges Gaza border open
By FOSTER KLUG, The Associated Press
Thursday, February 5, 2009; 4:16 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/05/AR2009020502308.html

6 nations hold talks in Germany on Iran's nuclear program
By MATT MOORE | Associated Press Writer
2:05 PM CST, February 4, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-eu-germany-iran,0,2628798.story

Abbas, US envoy push Mideast peace in Paris talks
By ANGELA CHARLTON, Associated Press Writer
February 2, 2009 - 3:45 p.m. EST
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-gen/ap/Europe/EU_France_Mideast.html?cxntlid=inform_sr

Abbas, US envoy push Mideast peace in Paris talks
By ANGELA CHARLTON, The Associated Press
Monday, February 2, 2009; 3:45 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/02/AR2009020200547.html

AP Analysis: Qatar at heart of Mideast `cold war'
By BRIAN MURPHY, Associated Press Writer
February 1, 2009 - 11:33 a.m. EST
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/shared-gen/ap/Middle_East/ML_Arabs_in_the_Middle.html?cxntlid=inform_sr

Carter: If no Palestine, Israel sees 'catastrophe'
By PETER JAMES SPIELMANN, Associated Press Writer
January 26, 2009 - 11:31 p.m. EST
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-gen/ap/Middle_East/Mideast_Carter.html%3Fcxntlid%3Dinform_artr

Some global adversaries ready to give Obama chance
By PAUL HAVEN, Associated Press Writer
January 25, 2009 - 12:14 p.m. EST
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-gen/ap/National/Obama_Unclenched_Fists.html?cxntlid=inform_sr

Jewish Agency official slams bishop rehabilitation
By KAREN ZOLKA, Associated Press Writer
January 25, 2009 - 5:01 p.m. EST
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-gen/ap/Middle_East/ML_Israel_Vatican.html?cxntlid=inform_sr

Some global adversaries ready to deal with Obama, but reconciliation a challenge
By PAUL HAVEN ,Associated Press Writer
January 25, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/search/dispatcher.front?page=3&Query=Israel&target=article&subheader-search- button=Go&sortby=display_time%20descending

Jewish Agency official slams Vatican rehabilitation of bishop who denied Holocaust
By KAREN ZOLKA | Associated Press Writer
4:01 PM CST, January 25, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-ml-israel-vatican,0,7775144.story

Pope gesture to traditionalists outrages Jews
By Philip Pullella, Reuters
Sunday, January 25, 2009; 11:44 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/25/AR2009012500556.html

Jewish Agency official slams bishop rehabilitation
By KAREN ZOLKA, The Associated Press
Sunday, January 25, 2009; 5:01 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/25/AR2009012501545.html

High cost of lost opportunity in Mideast conflict
By ELIANE ENGELER, Associated Press Writer
January 23, 2009 - 11:27 a.m. EST
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-gen/ap/Finance_General/EU_Middle_East_Cost_Study.html?cxntlid=info rm_sr

Study: Middle East conflict cost $12 trillion in lost opportunity over 2 decades
By ELIANE ENGELER | Associated Press Writer
10:27 AM CST, January 23, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-eu-middle-east-cost-study,0,359206.story

High cost of lost opportunity in Mideast conflict
By ELIANE ENGELER, The Associated Press
Friday, January 23, 2009; 11:27 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/23/AR2009012301692.html

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