Jim Lobe

Fulfilling a key campaign promise, U.S. President Barack Obama Monday lifted all restrictions on Cuban-Americans to visit their homeland and send money to family members there. In an executive order, Obama also authorized U.S. telecommunications companies to apply for licenses to do business in Cuba in what the White House described as an effort to … Continue reading “Obama Lifts Restrictions on Cuban-Americans”

If the past week was any indication, the U.S.-Israeli relationship, which could scarcely have been smoother during the eight-year presidency of George W. Bush, appears headed for choppy waters. Since taking office 10 days ago, the new government headed by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has been slapped down – at least, rhetorically – by the … Continue reading “US: Early Friction With New Israeli Govt”

Jim Lobe and Chas Freeman on neocons and US intel.

Contrary to the views of the likely incoming right-wing government of Israel, most U.S. Jews favor peace negotiations with a Palestinian unity government that would include Hamas, according to a new poll released here Tuesday by the year-old, pro-peace Jewish lobby group, J Street. The poll of 800 self-identified Jews conducted during the first week … Continue reading “US Jews Open to Palestinian Unity Govt”

The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama should work hard on areas of common interest with Russia in order to build a "partnership, however uneasy," that would serve Washington’s interests in key areas, including non-proliferation, energy, and counter-terrorism, according to a new report [.pdf] released Monday by the Nixon Center and the Belfer Center for … Continue reading “Bipartisan Experts Urge ‘Partnership’ With Russia”

In the face of threats by Republican lawmakers here that a victory by the leftist FMLN party in Sunday’s presidential elections could harm relations with the United States, the State Department is insisting that Washington is prepared to work with any government that reflects the will of the Salvadoran people. "The United States government reiterates … Continue reading “Obama Administration Insists It’s Neutral in Salvador Poll”

Leading advocates for lifting the nearly 50-year-old U.S. trade embargo against Cuba are hailing Congress’s approval Tuesday of a general appropriations bill that eases – albeit in a mostly symbolic way – several restrictions on travel and sales to the Caribbean nation. The bill, which was signed by President Barack Obama Wednesday, denies funding to … Continue reading “NGOs Hail Congressional Moves to Ease Embargo”

A new report on how the United States should "resist and deter" Iran’s alleged ambitions to acquire a nuclear-weapons capability by a think tank closely tied to the so-called "Israel Lobby" has been endorsed by two key officials who are expected to exercise major influence on Iran policy in the administration of U.S. President Barack … Continue reading “Call to ‘Resist and Deter’ Nuclear Iran Gains Key Support”

Ending a four-year diplomatic embargo on Damascus, the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama Tuesday confirmed that it is sending two high-level officials to Syria this week for "preliminary conversations," presumably on improving relations. The trip, which will be undertaken by Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Jeffrey Feltman and Daniel Shapiro, … Continue reading “Washington Ends Diplomatic Embargo of Syria”

While most mainstream press reaction to President Barack Obama’s whopping 3.5-trillion-dollar 2010 budget has naturally focused on its far-reaching – even historic – implications for the U.S. domestic economy, experts here say it also marks at least the beginning of potentially important shifts in U.S. foreign policy. The budget, which will now be taken up … Continue reading “Diplomatic, Aid Spending Set to Rise Under Obama Budget”