Council on Foreign Relations
Senior fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations; former head of the Office of the Quartet Representative for Tony Blair in Jerusalem, and a former US State Department official in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs
Egypt’s Role in Mideast Peace John Kerry is in Egypt trying to broker a cease fire between Hamas and Israel. Egypt has often acted as a go-between for the the two sides of the conflict, dating back to the late 1970s. The situation is more complicated this time around, though, as Egypt deals with its own internal conflicts.
Praying for Peace in a Hostile Climate Pope Francis visited the Middle East at the end of May. Now he's following up by inviting leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to "pray for peace" in the Vatican this coming Sunday. The Pontiff from Argentina is injecting a new perspective into the heart of diplomacy at a time of increasing tension. Yesterday, Israel announced more settlements in the West Bank, in response to recent "unity" between the Palestinian Authority and its "terrorist" rival Hamas. We hear how all these developments reflect changes in the region. Are Israel and the Obama Administration further apart than ever?
Kerry on US Middle East Policy, 'It's Reality Check Time' Secretary of State John Kerry said today his effort to make peace between Israel and the Palestinians may not be worth further effort. In Morocco, he told reporters he'll confer with President Obama before deciding whether to continue. Robert Danin is a veteran of the State Department and the National Security Council. He's now Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations .
Does Peace Have a Chance in Syria? The Geneva conference that led to a nuclear deal with Iran last month also established Geneva II. Scheduled for January 22, it would be the first meeting between the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad and rebel forces. With 125,000 dead, one million starving and three million refugees in Syria’s civil war, the goal is a “transition government.” But President Assad says he’ll never step down, rebel forces are so divided they’re fighting among themselves, and all sides are battling to gain advantage on the ground. Is that where the issues finally will be decided? We look at the prospects for a “diplomatic solution” and what’s at stake for Russia, the US and the rest of the Middle East.
Does Peace Have a Chance in Syria? The Geneva conference that led to a nuclear deal with Iran last month also established Geneva II. Scheduled for January 22, it would be the first meeting between the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad and rebel forces. With 125,000 dead, one million starving and three million refugees in Syria’s civil war, the goal is a “transition government.” But President Assad says he’ll never step down, rebel forces are so divided they’re fighting among themselves, and all sides are battling to gain advantage on the ground. Is that where the issues finally will be decided? We look at the prospects for a “diplomatic solution” and what’s at stake for Russia, the US and the rest of the Middle East.
Does Peace Have a Chance in Syria? The Geneva conference that led to a nuclear deal with Iran last month also established Geneva II . Scheduled for January 22, it would be the first meeting between the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad and rebel forces. With 125,000 dead, one million starving and three million refugees in Syria's civil war, the goal is a "transition government." But President Assad says he'll never step down, rebel forces are so divided they're fighting among themselves, and all sides are battling to gain advantage on the ground. Is that where the issues finally will be decided? We look at the prospects for a "diplomatic solution" and what's at stake for Russia, the US and the rest of the Middle East.
Is It Time to Intervene in Syria? Syria's Bashar al-Assad has called for elections, even as his army continues to bombard residential neighborhoods the Assad government calls "havens for terrorists" inspired by foreign enemies. Army defectors and others are fighting back as best they can. Some 25,000 civilians have managed to flee to destinations including Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. We hear the stories of refugees, get reports on anti-government forces and update international calls for humanitarian intervention.
Syria's Civil War Syria's civilian death toll is now estimated at 6000 people, as tanks and machine guns continue to bombard residential neighborhoods the Assad government calls "havens for terrorists" inspired by foreign enemies. Army defectors and others are fighting back as best they can. Some 25,000 civilians have managed to flee to destinations including Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. Refugees say they're bribing soldiers to help them get out of cities where food, water and medical care are in short supply. Meantime, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has announced a referendum in ten days to amend the constitution, limit his term in office and set up elections. France wants the UN to protect "corridors" for humanitarian relief, but Russia says that might "legitimize regime change."
Syria's Crackdown Continues Despite Monitors from the Arab League The United Nations estimates that more than 5000 people have been killed by the government of Syria in the past 10 months. After the Assad regime agreed to pull tanks and troops out of cities and talk to the opposition, the Arab League sent a task force to the country last week to monitor progress. In Time magazine, Rania Abouzeid said that might be " mission impossible ." We hear from her and others where that leaves the UN and the US.
Syria's Crackdown Continues Despite Monitors from the Arab League The United Nations estimates that more than 5000 people have been killed by the government of Syria in the past ten months. After the Assad regime agreed to pull tanks and troops out of cities and talk to the opposition, the Arab League sent a task force to the country last week to monitor progress. In Time magazine, Rania Abouzeid said that might be " mission impossible ." We speak with Abouzeid and other about Syria's continued crackdown on dissent despite the presence of monitors from the Arab League. Where does that leave the UN and the US?
Violence, Protest and Regional Pressure: What's Next for Syria? Army defectors attacked a military intelligence building in Syria today as pressure builds on the dictator, Bashar al-Assad, to stop killing his own people. Would outright civil war serve his interests or those of a divided opposition?
Violence, Protest and Regional Pressure: What's Next for Syria? Syrian army defectors reportedly attacked notorious Air Force intelligence sites near Damascus today, although reports are sketchy and hard to confirm. The Arab League is meeting in Morocco to uphold its suspension of Syria and find other ways to isolate the regime. Turkey, a non-Arab neighbor, is there. We update those stories and talk to a Western reporter who managed to get inside the country and produce the Frontline documentary, Syria Undercover . We also hear from an expatriate Syrian who's part of a peaceful opposition group as pressures build on a dictator who's killing his own people.
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.