Bar Ilan University
Garald Steinberg is Professor of Political Studies at Bar Ilan University in Israel and the founder of its Conflict Management Program. He is the founder and president of NGO Monitor, which tracks the activities of human rights groups working on issues related to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Netanyahu visit points to cozier US-Israeli relations Photo courtesy Avi Ohayon, Israeli Government Press Office Yesterday, President Trump brushed aside the so-called "two state solution" to resolve conflicts between Israel and the Palestinians, in what would end decades of US policy and could threaten Israeli's identity as a Jewish State and a democracy where Arabs have rights. Would that persuade Israel's Arab neighbors to help end the conflict that dates to Israel's founding?
Is a Boycott against Israel Reaching a 'Tipping Point?' As Israel expands illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank – a violation of international law and a major obstacle to peace with the Palestinians, some European companies are refusing to do business there. The Palestinians' call for "boycott, divestment and sanctions" may succeed where Intifadas and rocket fire have not. Prime Minister Netanyahu calls it "immoral and unjust," but Secretary of State Kerry warns it could damage Israel's "relative calm and prosperity." We hear how the boycott has divided Israelis and American Jews. What will it mean for the peace process and the "two-state solution?"
Will President Obama Raise New Hopes for Middle East Peace? As President Obama plunged back into the perils of Middle East diplomacy , the White House worked hard to lower expectations. But in his visit with Palestinians in Ramallah and his speech in Jerusalem to Israeli students were all about hope for peace and the necessity of a two-state solution. The President backed a Palestinian state at the same time supporting Israel almost without reservation. He condemned earlier rocket fire from Gaza into Southern Israel that broke a three-month cease-fire. He called settlements in the occupied West Bank "counterproductive," and urged young Israelis to pressure an older generation of political leaders. We hear excerpts and a variety of reactions.
Hopeful Signs Ahead of Talks with Iran The five members of the UN Security Council members and Germany will be in Baghdad tomorrow for talks with Iran. Just yesterday, the new director general (seen at right) of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency told reporters of a possible breakthrough after his first visit to Iran. After sanctions, a threatened oil boycott and possible outright war, Tehran may be ready to make concessions about its nuclear program. We update what diplomats call the "atmospherics" as long-delayed negotiations are about to begin in Baghdad.
Is Iran Ready to Make a Deal? As UN Security Council members plus Germany head for Baghdad to talk with Iran about its nuclear program, is a breakthrough at hand? Just yesterday, Yukiya Amano, Director-General of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency , told reporters that Iran is about to allow inspection of a military site where nuclear triggers might have been tested. The US is doubtful and Israel's talking as tough as ever, but its hawkish defense minister has put a potential concession in writing. Is Iran caving in because of economic sanctions and a threatened embargo of its oil? Is this another example of creating false expectations?
Obama, Netanyahu and the Threat of a Nuclear Iran As President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu finished exchanging views about Iran's nuclear program, came a surprise announcement from Brussels today: Europe, China, Russia and the United States will accept Iran's invitation to renew talks that ended more than a year ago. The possibility of attacking Iran's nuclear program has been the principal topic of Netanyahu's visit to Washington. Have the prospects changed?
The President, the Prime Minister and Possible War with Iran Just as President Obama 's agreed with Prime Minister Netanyahu that Israel has the right to attack Iran's nuclear program, there's a proposal for renewed diplomacy. Europe, Russia, China and the US have accepted Iran's invitation for renewal of talks that broke down more than a year ago. Are upcoming new sanctions already working, as the President hoped they would, or will this be just another effort to kick the can down the road? Has Netanyahu's visit to Washington altered the prospects for armed conflict in the Middle East?
Back on Track: Israel and the US Mend Ties President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu met at the White House yesterday. The two leaders spoke in positive terms about the strong ties between their two countries and posed for a pack of photographers, something that didn't happen when the two leaders met last March. What impact will yesterday's meeting have on the pressing issues Israel now faces – from peace talks with the Palestinians, to concern over Iran's nuclear program and fixing relations with Turkey?
Back on Track: Israel and the US Mend Their Ties President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu met at the White House yesterday. The two leaders spoke in positive terms about the strong ties between their two countries and posed for a pack of photographers, something that didn't happen when the two leaders met last March. What impact will yesterday's meeting have on the pressing issues Israel now faces – from peace talks with the Palestinians, to concern over Iran's nuclear program and fixing relations with Turkey?
US and Iran, Face-to-Face for the First Time in 30 Years A historic meeting will open tomorrow in Geneva, Switzerland, when the permanent members of the UN Security Council – the US, France, Britain, China and Russia -- plus Germany, sit down for talks with Iran about its nuclear program. The meeting marks the first time the United States and Iran have engaged in direct negotiations in thirty years. But Iran has said it wants to discuss trade, not nuclear power. With recent revelations about a second Iranian nuclear facility, and missile test firings in recent days, what signals is Iran sending? Will the US push for tougher sanctions against the regime? What can diplomatic efforts yield if Iran refuses to make concessions? Is a military strike by Israel a possibility?
US and Iran, Face-to-Face for the First Time in 30 Years A historic meeting will open tomorrow in Geneva, Switzerland, when the permanent members of the UN Security Council – the US, France, Britain, China and Russia -- plus Germany, sit down for talks with Iran about its nuclear program. The meeting marks the first time the United States and Iran have engaged in direct negotiations in thirty years. But Iran has said it wants to discuss trade, not nuclear power. With recent revelations about a second Iranian nuclear facility, and missile test firings in recent days, what signals is Iran sending? Will the US push for tougher sanctions against the regime? What can diplomatic efforts yield if Iran refuses to make concessions? Is a military strike by Israel a possibility?
Settlements Strain Relations between the US and Israel During the Bush Administration, the US and Israel worked hand in glove, but President Obama has outraged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Obama demands a "freeze" on settlements in the West Bank and that a Jewish housing development in East Jerusalem not be permitted. Former diplomats say Obama's reneging on promises made by President Bush. Most American Jews still support the President, but even left-wing Israelis want reassurances that the US is still a friend. As the US tries to restart the peace process, we try to sort this all out.
Israeli and Palestinian Leaders Agree to Negotiating Plan There's been growing skepticism that Israel and the Palestinians could even agree on a framework for resuming Middle East peace negotiations. But today, after a lapse of seven years, President Bush said the time is right. With Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas at his side today in Annapolis, he read a joint statement , promising to address all the "core issues" and setting a deadline for a "two-state solution" by the end of next year. With negotiations scheduled to resume next month, today's agreement calls for implementation of the Roadmap established in 2003. At today's conference , attended by no less than 49 countries and international organizations--including Saudi Arabia, Syria and other members of the Arab League, President Bush set forth a formula that included obligations for Israelis, Palestinians and their Arab neighbors. What about Hamas, Benjamin Netanyahu and Iran? Do weak leaders reflect what's really happening on the ground? Can the US play a decisive role, presuming it wants to?
Israeli Foreign Minister Calls for Olmert's Resignation After the scathing report on Israel's war in Lebanon, Foreign Minister Tippi Livni has called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to step down. She says she will seek to replace him. Gerald Steinberg teaches political studies and directs the program on Conflict Management at Bar Ilan University.
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
