Washington Watch Articles From 2015
Naked Bibi
In the lead up to Israel's March 17th election, Prime Minister Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu, fearful that he might lose his reelection bid, threw caution to the wind making blatant appeals to scare voters into returning him to office.
Killing Off Myths
Some of the myths that drive Arab discourse about American behavior in the Middle East are fascinating for what they say about our relationship with the region.
An Ugly Week in Washington
If "l'affaire Netanyahu" weren't bad enough, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell added insult to injury when he announced that early next week he will move for a vote on a bill requiring the White House to secure Congressional review and approval of any agreement concluded between the P5+1 negotiators and Iran.
Netanyahu’s Legacy: a Fractured Israel and a Divided America
In a few days, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will mount the podium of the US Congress to speak before a joint session of the House and Senate. He will use the occasion to blast Iran and issue dire warnings about the current US-led negotiations designed to limit Iran's nuclear program.
Obama: “Pitch Perfect”
I must admit that I was somewhat skeptical as I approached this week's "White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism" (CVE). I was concerned that it might end up being nothing more than a "box-checking" exercise.
Obama: Sound Theology and Smart Politics
President Obama's remarks, last week, at the annual National Prayer Breakfast were theologically sound and politically smart. In spite of this, his comments set off a storm of criticism from conservative critics who took him to task for both his theology and his politics.
Jindal: from Rhodes Scholar to Dangerous Demagogue
A few weeks back, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal delivered a speech to the Henry Jackson Society in London focusing on the dangers "radical Islam" poses to the world's "freedom loving people".
An Early Look at the 2016 Contest
The election season has just begun and for those who have a consuming passion for presidential politics, the 2016 cycle promises to be a delight.
Boehner/Netanyahu: "So Smart, They're Stupid”
When I was growing up, I remember a saying that was used to describe the behavior of persons who were so cocky that they did really dumb things—"He's so smart, he's stupid
On the Murders at Charlie Hebdo
The perpetrators of the horror at Charlie Hedbo were not devout Muslims outraged by insults directed at their faith
Syria: The Way Forward, without Illusions
It should be clear after four bloody years in Syria that if we are to make any progress moving forward, it is necessary to shed illusions and fantasies that have shaped too much of the discussion about the conflict.
Bad End to a Bad Year
The closing weeks of 2014 spelled disaster for US leadership and the rule of law.