Grant Smith

Grant F. Smith is the author of the new book Divert! NUMEC, Zalman Shapiro and the diversion of U.S. weapons-grade uranium into the Israeli nuclear weapons program. He is director of the Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy in Washington, D.C.

Pro-Israel Pardons and Leniency Too Costly to Continue

A small but significant trial balloon went up late last year when Charles Winters received a presidential pardon. Winters delivered three converted World War II B-17 bombers to the nascent Israeli armed forces in the late 1940s. Co-conspirators Herman Greenspun and Al Schwimmer were fellow operatives within a vast network of nonprofit front organizations stealing, … Continue reading “Pro-Israel Pardons and Leniency Too Costly to Continue”

Will Obama End Pay-to-Play
in Mideast Policy?

The incoming Obama administration is scrambling to distance itself from the scandal emanating from the president-elect’s home state. It is still too early to tell how much Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s alleged attempt to sell the president-elect’s Senate seat in exchange for $1 million may taint Obama advisers. But we may soon discover the answer … Continue reading “Will Obama End Pay-to-Play
in Mideast Policy?”

Why Bush Will Pardon AIPAC for Espionage

In 2005, Col. Lawrence Franklin was indicted alongside two executives of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) for allegedly violating the 1917 Espionage Act. Franklin later pled guilty to passing AIPAC a classified presidential directive and other secrets concerning America’s Iran policy. AIPAC then allegedly forwarded the highly sensitive information to Israeli government officials … Continue reading “Why Bush Will Pardon AIPAC for Espionage”

Where Did AIPAC Come From?

The following is an excerpt from Foreign Agents: The American Israel Public Affairs Committee From the 1963 Fulbright Hearings to the 2005 Espionage Scandal. AIPAC was founded by Isaiah L. “Si” Kenen, springing from the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs. Kenen registered twice with the U.S. Department of Justice under the Foreign Agent Registration … Continue reading “Where Did AIPAC Come From?”

Is the Media Sabotaging the AIPAC Spy Trial?

The Associated Press reported a major victory for defendants in the AIPAC espionage trial on April 17, 2007: “Prosecutors suffered a setback yesterday in their case against two former pro-Israel lobbyists accused of violating the 1917 Espionage Act when a federal judge rejected the government’s proposal for conducting much of the trial in secret.” The … Continue reading “Is the Media Sabotaging the AIPAC Spy Trial?”

AIPAC Espionage Case Dismissal Gambit Fails

An Aug. 9, 2006, opinion by presiding Judge T.S. Ellis III [.pdf] has dealt a decisive blow to forces supporting full dismissal of the AIPAC espionage case. Defendants Steve Rosen and Keith Weissman, formerly employed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington, D.C., are charged with “cultivating relationships” with government officials cleared … Continue reading “AIPAC Espionage Case Dismissal Gambit Fails”

Let the AIPAC Spy Trial Begin

Judge T.S. Ellis III has offered a rare second opportunity to the Rosen and Weissman defense team. They again made their case that the indictment of the two former AIPAC lobbyists was “trampling on their 1st Amendment rights." Although Judge Ellis established an August 2006 trial date, he continues to consider a motion to dismiss … Continue reading “Let the AIPAC Spy Trial Begin”

An End to Ambiguity: US Counter-Proliferation from Tel Aviv to Tehran

Iran’s Nuclear Program In 2002 Iran announced plans to build six nuclear power stations. As a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran can buy and operate centrifuges and other equipment needed for enriching uranium as long as it only uses the devices for nuclear power. NPT rules require that inspectors from the International … Continue reading “An End to Ambiguity: US Counter-Proliferation from Tel Aviv to Tehran”