All items on U.S. Middle East Policy
- The Critical Role of Palestinian State-Building
- Original Commentary | Dec 22, 2010
-
Palestinian worker in stone and marble factory outside Bethlehem
On December 10, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton outlined efforts necessary to achieving Middle East peace. She called on the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships to address the core issues of the conflict, and said that the United States would work with both parties towards this end. In addition, Clinton mentioned the need for regional states to continue to develop the Arab Peace Initiative, and stressed the importance of the Palestinian Authority (PA) state-building program while underscoring
- Working Towards Progress
- Original Commentary | Nov 17, 2010
-
Secretary of State Clinton and Prime Minister Netanyahu at their recent meeting in New York (AP)
On November 11, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York. Reports suggest that the meeting helped pave the way for a U.S.-Israel agreement whereby the United States would provide Israel with incentives to extend a one-off settlement moratorium for 90 days. Construction in East Jerusalem would reportedly not be included in the extension. Reported incentives include the United States giving Israel 20 additional F-35 fighter jets worth about
- Lebanon’s Stability Takes Center Stage
- Original Commentary | Oct 29, 2010
-
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman speaks at a press conference during his visit to Lebanon (AP)
On Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice underscored U.S. support for the Lebanese government, while criticizing Syria and Iran for supporting Hezbollah and undermining Lebanese sovereignty. Her comments followed Syrian President Bashar Assad’s criticism of the United States. The week before Jeffrey Feltman, U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs, visited Lebanon and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman on the phone, following Iranian President Mahmoud
- Understanding Post-Referendum Turkey
- Original Commentary | Oct 26, 2010
-
Prime Minister Erdoğan (AP)
Middle East Bulletin interview with Michael Werz, senior fellow, Center for American Progress.
You recently returned from a trip to Turkey where you held meetings with senior government officials and opposition leaders, what were some of the main themes discussed during these meetings?
The meetings with President Gul, Prime Minister Erdoğan, and Deputy Prime Minister Babacan dealt with issues that are currently at the core of Turkish-American relations: the Iran nuclear discussion and the deteriorating relationship between Turkey and Israel; but also
- U.S.-Saudi Arms Deal
- Original Commentary | Oct 22, 2010
-
King Abdullah and President Obama (AP)
On Wednesday, October 20, the State department notified Congress of an arms deal with Saudi Arabia consisting of $60 billion in U.S. weapons and aircraft. The deal has been in the works since 2007. Congress has 30 days to block the deal. This sale represents the largest foreign arms deal in U.S. history, if fully carried out.
Middle East Bulletin (MEB) has been examining developments in Saudi Arabia over the years, including publishing a backgrounder
- Courage and Leadership Needed
- Original Commentary | Oct 13, 2010
-
President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu (AP)
What is the current status of Israeli-Palestinian talks?
They are very much in flux. The question of the moment is whether the settlement moratorium will be extended for a shorter period of time–perhaps sixty days. But now the Palestinians seem to be moving the goal posts somewhat in saying it’s not just an extension of the moratorium, there has to be a total freeze. I don’t know what exactly that means but we may find ourselves in a situation in which
- Determined to Reach a Common Objective
- Setting the Record Straight | Oct 13, 2010
- “We knew at the outset that the task would be difficult. We acknowledged that publicly and privately. We knew this would be a road with many bumps— and there have been many bumps—and that continues to this day. But we are not deterred. We are, to the contrary, determined more than ever to proceed to realize the common objective, which we all share, of a Middle East that is at peace with security and prosperity for the people of Israel, for Palestinians, and for all the people in the region. We will continue our efforts in that regard, undeterred and undaunted by the difficulties, the complexities or the bumps in the road.”—George Mitchell, special envoy for Middle East peace, remarks with Prime Minister Netanyahu, September 29, 2010
- The Strength of Obama’s Long Game With Iran
- Analysis | Oct 5, 2010
-
[I] am more convinced than ever that a unilateral Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities would be potentially disastrous for U.S. interests. At worst, it could lead to a third war in the greater Middle East without the benefit of stopping Iran’s nuclear program. It makes much more sense for Obama to stick to his bet that a combination of diplomacy and toughness might yet compel Tehran to yield. …
Since he took office, the president has believed that negotiations with
- Overview of Recent International Sanctions on Iran
- Background Basics | Oct 5, 2010
-
UN Sanctions
Passed: June 9, 2010
The sanctions passed with twelve states voting in favor, Lebanon abstaining, and Turkey and Brazil voting against. The sanctions were the fourth round passed by the UN. They include, among other provisions, further restrictions on arms sales to Iran; increased inspection of cargo with Iran as its destination or point of launch; prohibitions on Iran investing in other countries’ nuclear-related activities; additional restrictions on Iranian banks outside the country with connections - The Regional Component to Moving Forward
- Original Commentary | Sep 28, 2010
-
Mubarak, Netanyahu, Obama, Abbas and Abdullah at White House (AP)
From your experience what role do you think Arab leaders should be playing in resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict?
There needs to be an Arab safety net, through the Arab Peace Initiative, that would, on one hand, assure the Palestinians that in their negotiations with Israel they will get support from the whole Arab world. Arab leaders should also be able to offer security guarantees, which would lead to the inclusion of Hamas and Hezbollah in any eventual settlement. Because, this is