Commentator, Ha'aretz
Commentator for the Israeli daily Ha’aretz and co-author of The Nuclear Sphinx of Tehran: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the State of Iran
PROFILE
Yossi Melman
Guest
FROM Yossi Melman
Which Way, L.A.?
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?
To the Point
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?
Which Way, L.A.?
US Diplomacy and Iran Since the advent of street protests over Iran's disputed election, western reporters have been forced out of the country. Meantime, as President Obama tries to deal with Iran, that country's domestic politics are creating a nightmare for diplomacy.
To the Point
US Diplomacy and Iran As President Obama tries to deal with Iran, that country's domestic politics are creating a nightmare for diplomacy. Both reformers and hard liners may want a nuclear deal with the West, but neither side wants the other to get the credit. In the meantime, Iran has charged three US hikers with spying, and Israel has intercepted an arms shipment it says Iran sent to Hezbollah in Lebanon. And major questions remain: is Iran really building a nuclear weapon? Is an Israeli attack really likely?
To the Point
Iranian Missile Tests and Russian Threats Iran today test-fired nine ballistic missiles, including a new version of the Shahab-3, which Iran says has the capacity to strike Tel Aviv. The tests were shown on government-run TV and a commander of the Revolutionary Guard said they were designed to "tell the world...that our finger is always on the trigger." We get perspective from Iran, Israel, Russia and the US.
To the Point
Arms for Diplomacy in the Middle East After stops in Israel and the Arab Emirates, the Secretaries of State and Defense are in Saudi Arabia, working out the details of a massive sale of sophisticated weapons . The Bush Administration says it's a way to counter Iran. Opponents accuse the Saudis of supporting terrorists and the Sunni insurgency in Iraq. Israel has signed off on the deal after being promised new arms of its own. Egypt will get new weaponry, too. Is the US fueling the arms race in one of the world's most unstable regions? Is it really all about oil?
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To the Point
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.
Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
To the Point
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.