Daniel Luban and Jim Lobe

Iran War Drums Begin Beating in Washington

As nuclear negotiations between Iran and the West continue to move slowly, U.S. President Barack Obama is coming under growing pressure from what appears to be a concerted lobbying and media campaign urging him to act more aggressively to stop Iran’s nuclear program. Obama has given Tehran an end-of-September deadline to respond substantively to his … Continue reading “Iran War Drums Begin Beating in Washington”

Neocons Launch New Foreign Policy Group

A newly-formed and still obscure neoconservative foreign policy organization is giving some observers flashbacks to the 1990s, when its predecessor staked out the aggressively unilateralist foreign policy that came to fruition under the George W. Bush administration. The blandly-named Foreign Policy Initiative (FPI) – the brainchild of Weekly Standard editor William Kristol, neoconservative foreign policy … Continue reading “Neocons Launch New Foreign Policy Group”

Freeman Affair Puts Israel Lobby in Spotlight

Although the successful campaign to keep Amb. Charles "Chas" Freeman out of a top intelligence post marked a surface victory for the pro-Israel hardliners who opposed him, the long-term political implications of the Freeman affair appear far more ambiguous. Freeman’s withdrawal has provoked growing – if belated – media scrutiny of the operations of the … Continue reading “Freeman Affair Puts Israel Lobby in Spotlight”

Freeman Withdrawal Marks Victory for Israel Lobby

Amb. Chas Freeman withdrew from consideration for a top intelligence post in the Obama administration on Tuesday, following a vitriolic battle that pitted Republican lawmakers and pro-Israel hardliners opposed to his appointment against liberals and members of the intelligence and diplomatic communities who had come to his defense. Freeman’s withdrawal came as a surprise to … Continue reading “Freeman Withdrawal Marks Victory for Israel Lobby”

Intel Council Head Draws Ire of Israel Lobby

The appointment of a top-ranking retired diplomat and vocal critic of Israel to a key intelligence post has triggered an intense backlash from hawkish Israel supporters in Congress and the media who are pressing the administration of President Barack Obama to reconsider. Critics have seized upon retired Amb. Charles “Chas” Freeman’s ties to Saudi Arabia … Continue reading “Intel Council Head Draws Ire of Israel Lobby”

Neocon Flap Highlights Jewish Divide

A mushrooming media controversy pitting neoconservatives against a prominent Jewish-American political commentator could mark a new stage in the growing battle over who speaks for the US Jewish community on foreign policy issues, particularly regarding the Middle East. Time columnist Joe Klein’s accusations that Jewish neoconservatives, who played a particularly visible role in the drive … Continue reading “Neocon Flap Highlights Jewish Divide”