Blog @ MoreWhat.com

crossposted at Maggie’s Notebook

As much as China and Russia have demonstrated their opposition toward ’sanctions’ against Iran’s nuclear pursuits more impotent reaction appears forthcoming from the security council at the United Nations. As noted below, a ‘fourth round’ of UN sanctions indicates previous provisions have accomplished nothing.

If Iran sends uranium to Turkey and Brazil for further enrichment with the stated medical purposes expressed a minimum of several questions come to mind. What is to stop others from intercepting and/or advancing enrichment to weapons grade? What value can sanctions have if they have not worked to date and Iran’s nuclear pursuit advances unchecked?

Spokespersons from Iran and Turkey have offered political rhetoric on the topic. Western nations have expressed a real concern that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons. Also in the report below readers are reminded of frequent expressions from Iranian leaders that they intend to eliminate the state of Israel.

And the past and current situation with Iran has done nothing to resolve these issues. But it has allowed Iran to continue unimpeded. It is long past the time for an effective response to Iranian nukes. And all that sending uranium around the planet achieves is higher risk that the material will be used by rogue states or terrorists supported by them.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

from VOA News….

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the United States and other major world powers have agreed on a draft resolution that could impose a fourth round of United Nations sanctions on Iran.

Clinton made the announcement in testimony to a Senate committee Tuesday, a day after Iran announced a plan to send some of its enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for nuclear fuel.

The Security Council is set to hold consultations on the sanctions draft Tuesday.

Clinton said the plan followed talks among the five permanent Security Council members - the United States, Britain, China, France and Russia, as well as Germany.

She noted the agreement had been reached in cooperation with China and Russia - two nations that have previously resisted imposing more sanctions on Tehran.

On Monday, Iran signed an agreement with Turkey and Brazil to send 1,200 kilograms of low-enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for higher-enriched nuclear reactor fuel to be used in a medical research reactor in Tehran.

Both Turkey and Brazil are non-permanent members of the Security Council.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast accused Western nations Tuesday of “seeking excuses” to avoid resolving the nuclear dispute with his country.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said talk of sanctions could “spoil the atmosphere” and lead to an “escalation” of statements that might “provoke” Iranian public opinion.

The United States and its Western allies accuse Iran of working to make a nuclear weapon. Iran says its atomic program is for peaceful purposes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with top Cabinet members Tuesday to consider a response to the Iranian plan.

Israel views a nuclear-armed Iran as a threat to its existence because of repeated calls by Iranian leaders for the demise of the Jewish state.

Those seeking to justify their pursuit of nuclear weapons are fond of waxing nostalgic about those who belong to the ‘club’. And of course, mentioning that the US is the only country to have used a nuke in wartime is a favorite of ‘rogue states’. To no one’s surprise they casually omit the fact they might all be speaking German or Japanese or even Russian had the US not entered WWII. Just like the US gets to bear the burden of cleaning up other messes around the world. Something the UN likes to complain about publicly but toast privately while wringing their hands at the thought they should actually live up to their charter.

Enter Barack Hussein Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton. On the topic of Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons here’s a nice summary excerpt….

‘Our aim is not incremental sanctions, but sanctions that will bite.” Thus did Secretary of State Hillary Clinton seek to reassure the crowd at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee two weeks ago about the Obama Administration’s resolve on Iran. Three days later, this newspaper reported on its front page that “the U.S. has backed away from pursuing a number of tough measures against Iran” in order to win Russian and Chinese support for one more U.N. sanctions resolution.

This fits the pattern we have seen across the 14 months of the Obama Presidency. Mrs. Clinton called a nuclear-armed Iran “unacceptable” no fewer than four times in a single paragraph in her AIPAC speech. But why should the Iranians believe her? President Obama set a number of deadlines last year for a negotiated settlement of Iran’s nuclear file, all of which Tehran ignored, and then Mr. Obama ignored them too.

After bowing to other heads of state in his world apology tour while trashing the country he was elected to lead President Obama continues pursuit of his reckless agenda. It could make you wonder who he’s working for? Talking about ‘tough’ sanctions or other means to stop Irans’ nuclear pursuit while caving to Russia and China at the UN will solve nothing.

“Do we have unanimity in the international community? Not yet,” said President Obama. “That is something we have to work on. We think that we are in a much stronger position to get robust sanctions now than we were a year ago, prior to us initiating our strategy.”

The United States has been working to obtain crucial support from China and Russia for a Security Council resolution. Beijing and Moscow have veto power in the council.

But efforts at the United Nations come amid increased concern in the U.S. Congress that Iran might be speeding up efforts to develop a nuclear weapons capability.

Dems in Congress like a deer in the headlights worried about November re-election chances and GOP members dreaming of retaking the majority combined with an inept White House give Iran all it needs to complete their objective. Help from Russia, China and the UN don’t hurt their chances either. While President Obama talks of a nuclear free world. How naive.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Foreign policy has not exactly been the Obama administration’s strong suit. But then what has? President Obama has delayed his international travel until Reid, Pelosi, Hoyer and the rest of his crew can ignore the public and worse, the US Constitution as they remain fixated on their government in everything agenda. Or is that government IS everything agenda?

So, Barack Hussein Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, that’s Barry from DC (his words) and H Rod (my words) are embarking on a world rap tour. Obama will visit Indonesia which is probably more of a family reunion than a foreign affairs junket. And H Rod will try to match wits with the Red Bear. Do you suppose she’ll try to find another Russian word to use like the last fiasco?

This may equal the concern over so-called health insurance reform or whatever it is. What makes you more nervous? Obama and Clinton touring the globe representing you, sort of, or committing crimes to takeover your healthcare? Right! It’s about a horse, or a deadfish a piece. Elections for 2010 and 2012 can’t come fast enough.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

from David Gollust….

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is en route to Moscow for a key international meeting on the Middle East peace process. She also meets with Russian leaders on efforts to conclude a new big-power nuclear arms reduction accord.

Clinton will meet with colleagues in the international quartet on the Middle East with peace efforts suddenly complicated by a U.S.-Israeli dispute over East Jerusalem home-building and a surge of Israeli-Palestinian unrest.

Secretary Clinton says the Obama administration was dismayed and disappointed by an Israeli announcement last week, coinciding with an Israel visit by Vice President Joe Biden, that it will build 1,600 new Jewish housing units in mainly-Arab East Jerusalem.

She scolded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an angry telephone conversation last Friday that triggered reports of a crisis in U.S.-Israeli relations.

Officials here say an anticipated follow-up call to Clinton and conciliatory steps by Mr. Netanyahu have not occurred.

But the Israeli leader Wednesday praised President Obama’s commitment to Israel’s security and a senior U.S. official expressed hope the issue will die down somewhat in the coming days.

Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Philip Gordon, who is accompanying Clinton to Moscow, told a Washington seminar on U.S.-Turkish relations the U.S. criticism of Israel’s Jerusalem action was an example of friends who are able to speak to each other frankly.

“We have an important partnership with Israel, and a close relationship with Israel. It goes on. It’s important to us,” said Gordon. “It’s important to them. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t disagree with them when we have a frank difference. And we’ve been very clear that on this particular issue, we have a frank difference,” he said.

The quartet - consisting of the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations - condemned the Israeli housing move last week and said the world community won’t recognize unilateral steps by either side that could prejudice peace talks.

U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell put off a trip to the region this week aimed at starting indirect Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. But U.S. officials say he is likely to make the trip after attending the Moscow quartet meeting.

They say the United States would like to see statements from both the Israelis and Palestinians recommitting themselves to the peace process after events of the past week that, they say, included incitement by Palestinian officials over Israel’s dedication of a rebuilt synagogue in the Jewish quarter of Jerusalem’s old city.

In addition to quartet meetings, Clinton will hold talks with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on bilateral issues, including negotiations on a new U.S.-Russia strategic arms reduction, or START, accord.

U.S. officials had originally expressed hope that a new START agreement could be ready by the time the previous one expired in December, but talks in Geneva have dragged on inconclusively.

Acting State Department Spokesman Mark Toner Wednesday declined to cast blame for the delay.

“Both sides have repeatedly stressed their commitment to reaching an agreement. Are there hard issues to tackle? Sure. But they remain hard at work and they’re getting closer. But I can’t predict when. The goal here is to get the best agreement we can get,” said Toner.

Clinton and Lavrov are also expected to review efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear program, with officials here saying Moscow supports the imposition of new U.N. Security Council sanctions against Tehran. Among veto-wielding permanent council members, only China is seen as a potential hold-out.

Every now and then an article appears that begs for commentary. Not by the author but what the author writes. This one comes from WaPo and focuses on an old label, the glass ceiling, and electing a woman president.

This post avoids or ignores the introduction which focuses on trash talking during the 2008 presidential primary. For good reason, it should be avoided and ignored always even when it first appears.

Here’s an excerpt that seems to miss its own point.

Clinton erred strategically early on, ceding college campuses — including college women — to Obama. She also struggled with whether to portray her campaign as “historic,” debating the idea of a speech on gender for months. Focused on proving her toughness, she missed out on key endorsements from women, including Oprah Winfrey and Caroline Kennedy. Only when women began to see her as under siege during the New Hampshire primary campaign did Clinton begin to pick up steam among the constituency that would rally to her side for the rest of the primaries. But it was too late.

Let’s see. Hillary Rodham Clinton ‘missed out on key endorsements from women, including Oprah Winfrey and Caroline Kennedy’ as the result of trying to prove her toughness? How about the obvious choice for O-prah’s vote was O-bama? The Dems elite would anoint the Messiah as they did Kerry/Edwards the previous election. And Caroline would not endorse HRC on a ‘toughness’ issue? Uh huh. Right. Sure. NOT!

In a primary election one needs to convince the electorate and a major party one can WIN. This is after all politics. And if you believe gender is the sole reason a woman has not yet been elected president think again. Any time a candidate must overcome a serious obstacle to the public’s evaluation of their electability other attributes must render that negative meaningless.

Is gender an obstacle to winning elections? Sure. Can it be overcome? Sure, Golda Meir in 1969, Indira Ghandi in 1966, Margaret Thatcher in 1979 all beat the gender issue and one could say under considerably more challenging venues than in the USA. The list goes on and a link listing such things is available here

If women do not vote for women how is that a gender issue? But certainly the question is raised if a man does not vote for a female candidate. Hey, I’m a man. I voted for Sarah Palin even in light of her major obstacle, John McCain.

So drop the glass ceiling argument.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

As President Obama campaigns on behalf of liberal candidates in current elections and has school children singing his praises thanks to questionable encouragement from their teachers one has to wonder how voters view his performance thus far. Indeed, Obama’s honeymoon with the American people lasted less than six months. So Mr Obama, how are all those government interventions working for you? You know, government motors, government healthcare, government pay czars and your nanny state agenda?

VPOTUS Joe Biden was tapped to shore up Barack Obama’s lack of foreign affairs experience during the 2008 Presidential campaign. Apparently most people dismissed any concerns about Obama’s lack of experience in other areas. A community organizer-in-chief was what the majority of American voters selected. The new President tapped his former rival for President as his Secretary of State. So how is Hillary Clinton doing in the minds of voters?

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 27 percent of voters think Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would be doing a better job as president, while 49 percent say she would be performing about the same. That’s about 70 percent that say a hypothetical ‘President Hillary’ would be doing as well or better than President Barack Obama.

Obama’s honeymoon is over and according to the poll above about half the voters think Hillary or Barack would be doing about the same as president. Barack Obama has done nothing to inspire confidence resulting in the honeymoon being over and half the voters think Hillary would be doing about the same. So how’s Hillary doing as Secretary of State? Forget that most of the year she was promoting human rights as her central focus. What about the Middle East?

Secretary Clinton came to Marrakech for the sixth Forum for the Future, which joins civil society groups and the private sector with foreign ministers from the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations and the Middle East to talk about democracy and resolving conflict in the region.

What was the result of these discussions?

Palestinian leaders are voicing frustration after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised Israel for making what she said are unprecedented concessions in efforts to restart peace negotiations. Israeli leaders are keeping up their calls for the Palestinians to drop all preconditions.

Palestinian leaders on Sunday stuck to their demands that Israel stop all settlement activity before any resumption of peace talks that have been stalled since December.

Clinton praises Israel for doing their part and the Palestinians register a complaint.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Arab foreign ministers in Morocco to discuss Israel’s offer to limit the expansion of Jewish settlements. Clinton says Israel should reciprocate positive Palestinian moves to improve security.

Clinton reverses her earlier praise of Israel in response to Palestinian objections.

Well then, how’s it going on the issue of Iran and their pursuit of nuclear weapons?

Iranian officials say they want technical experts to review the U.N.-backed plan for sending Iran’s uranium abroad for enrichment.

All the rhetoric from various nations including the US over Iran’s nuclear program has produced zero results except that Iran is still stalling and being allowed to get away with it. And the answer from the US……

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says there will be no changes to an international offer to end the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program by having its low-grade uranium processed and enriched abroad.

That’s reassuring.(NOT) Given the impotent international response to date and Clinton’s caving on statements made about the Middle East peace process more of the same is anticipated.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

While the recent decision by the Nobel committee to award the 2009 peace prize to President Obama focused more attention on the US leader no more will be said about it in this post. US diplomatic strategy, success or failure, foreign policy and the role of the US State Dept and White House will be. All the talk about rebuilding America’s image, hope and change, a nuclear free world and ends to conflict needs a reality check. How are things going so far?

Not necessarily in order of importance what is on most peoples’ minds these days in terms of international relations or foreign affairs? From the US perspective the countries of note would include Russia, China, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, North Korea and Iran. Of course the perennial favorites not yet mentioned would be any country in the Middle East. Israel and its neighbors are still without solutions. Russia and China are still vying for top dog honors with the US on the world stage. Upstarts Iran and North Korea at the very least want a seat at the cool kids table. So nothing much has changed.

Here’s a brief recap of events in US diplomatic strategy with a ‘new’ President and Secretary of State.

Still no progress in Palestinian/Israeli peace talks

NECN/ABC) - President Barack Obama’s Mideast envoy, George Mitchell, left the region Sunday after failing again to get Israelis and Palestinians back to the bargaining table. The breakdown of peace talks is taking a toll on Obama’s prestige among Palestinians.

President Obama’s Middle East peace envoy on another trip to the region - more meetings - more handshakes with Israelis and Palestinians - but still no progress, no movement in the peace process.

Not a surprise to see a headline expressing failure in Middle East diplomacy no matter who is involved.

What about Iran?

Putin Says Iran Sanctions Talk Premature

By VOA News
14 October 2009

Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says it is premature to discuss sanctions against Iran for its controversial nuclear program.

And the view from the US Secretary of State…..

“I believe if sanctions become necessary, we will have support from Russia,” Clinton told ABC television in an interview on Wednesday.

This is merely a continuation of the impotent international community’s response to Iran’s nuclear weapons program that was essentially confirmed again with yet another lie exposed with admission of the previously hidden enrichment facility already known to the Obama Administration. And no one will visit the plant until later this month. Like that will solve anything.

Which makes this next sham almost laughable if it wasn’t so pathetic.

Obama to Preside at UN Security Council

By Margaret Besheer
The United Nations

The United States has taken over the rotating presidency of the 15-member United Nations Security Council for the month of September. U.S. President Barack Obama and other top U.S. political figures will be at the world body this month to highlight issues of importance to the United States.

Another rhetorical masterpiece expressing the desire for a nuclear free world without the substance to support such a notion. The exclamation point is provided by the appeasement strategy reminiscent of a similar process that helped usher in WWII.

And what was the defining achievement by press accounts for the SoS Hillary Rodham Clinton?

Hillary Clinton Helps Turkey, Armenia Open Border - ABC News

Clinton uses diplomatic muscle in Turkey-Armenia row | Politics …

Turkey, Armenia Agree to Ties; Clinton’s Skill Tested (Update1 …

The Daily Star - Politics - Clinton hails Turkey, Armenia steps …

Clinton Helps Save Historic Turkey, Armenia Accord - International …

A more accurate appraisal of Clinton’s participation may be the following…..

Clinton to Attend Turkey-Armenia Normalization Deal Signing

By David Gollust
State Department

The State Department said Thursday Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will fly to Zurich to attend Saturday’s signing of accords to normalize relations between Turkey and Armenia.

A simple visit to the US State Dept website would bear this out. At least in terms of demonstrating that this State Dept is essentially no different from any other feeble attempt by heads of state to display their conviction to foreign relations or determination to improve conditions in the world. A visit to the website while producing this post featured the following items:

Positive Future for U.S.-Russian Relations

Finding Common Ground With Russia

Secretary Clinton Travels to Europe

U.S. Supports Peace in Northern Ireland

U.S. Supports Emergence of Afghan Government

U.S.-U.K. Advancing Shared Values

U.S.-Ireland Working Together

and travel puff pieces?

So much for the hope and change of a new administration in the US and statements expressed to suggest foreign policy would be successful.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

President Obama looks more like a politician these days than a Messiah. The notion that Democrats have the uncanny ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory is finding support in various news reports and other current stories these days. All is not well within in the Democratic party as the White House and the Congressional majority struggle to cement their agenda in the face of internal opposition and a media focus pointing to difficulties within the GOP.

Obama may produce a self-inflicted wound with his handling of the interrogation photo fiasco. Likewise Pelosi has lost whatever credibility she may have had by mishandling questions on what she knew and when on matters related to ‘enhanced interrogation techniques.’ Now Dems are pushing against detainees being released in the US. Does it get any better than this? And health care along with other liberal agenda items will not be slam dunks as they have been viewed since the inauguration of America’s first black and white President this past January.

Sure, their will be no socialized medicine and the health care industry will solve the rising cost and uninsured problems for Obama. Just like the Clinton’s solved all this in the nineties.

Maybe the current economic problems along with political turmoil and worldwide disarray will cause widespread improvements across the board for the entire planet. But it certainly won’t be anything but a bumpy ride regardless of what happens. And the best part for the US is that liberals own the consequence of success or failure by virtue of getting what they wished for….. the majority status as a political party.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

The reporters being held in North Korea and facing trial, for who knows what, work for Al Gore? Senate Dems, as mentioned above, have legislation to block detainee transfers to the US. The health care kabuki dance rages on.

SEOUL, South Korea - Two U.S. journalists arrested near North Korea’s border with China on accusations of illegal entry and “hostile acts” will be tried by Pyongyang in early June, state media said Thursday.

Laura Ling and Euna Lee, reporters for former Vice President Al Gore’s San Francisco-based Current TV media venture, were detained March 17 while reporting on North Korean refugees living in China.

WASHINGTON — New legislation by Senate Democrats would fund the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, but it would block the transfer of any of the detainees to the United States.

The move to sidestep a political minefield is a rebuff to President Barack Obama, whose promise to close the Guantanamo facility within a year of taking office has run into Republicans and Democrats opposed to bringing accused terrorists onto U.S. shores.

WASHINGTON — The White House scrambled to unify Democrats behind a single health care appeal Wednesday — lower costs, plenty of choice — amid concerns Republicans could scare votes away with images of a ghastly system run by bureaucrats. A key senator pushed to enforce an offer from care providers to trim $2 trillion in costs over the next decade.

Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., said he wanted to build cost-saving mechanisms the industry is devising into sweeping health care overhaul legislation his committee is writing.

North Korea and Iran know what most of us know. The impotent actions of the United Nations and each member nations’ special interest will never accomplish the original idea of being an effective forum for resolution in international affairs. It is merely for show and another venue for political fantasy. And the recent liberal thrust in US politics by virtue of the loss of conservative common sense, again through political stupidity, brings the failed policies of surrender and appeasement back to life in a similar fashion to that of Neville Chamberlain before WWII.

As is obvious to anyone with a functioning brain, North Korea confirms its understanding that absent an international community of nations as there should be in the UN they have no reason to abandon their stated pursuit of a nuclear weapons program.

A North Korean news announcer read a Foreign Ministry statement saying talks aimed at ending the North’s nuclear weapons are “not needed,” and that it will no longer participate.

The statement goes on to say the North will restart its main nuclear facility - which was disabled under a previous agreement - and reprocess stored nuclear fuel rods into material usable for boosting what it calls its “nuclear deterrent.” (read more)

And Iran as well, while using a slightly different approach, has chosen to stall the US surrender monkeys in Washington DC in pursuit of its nuclear ambitions.

The United States Monday said it welcomed a conciliatory Iranian statement about possible new talks with world powers on its nuclear program. But the State Department says it remains skeptical that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful.

A senior State Department official said no date has been set for a P-5 Plus 1 meeting with Iran and that despite the latest Iranian comments, he said he did not think one is imminent.

He said if a meeting is held, it would likely be at the so-called “political director” level and involve, on the U.S. side, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns and not Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. (read more)

Enjoy the brief respite from political stupidity in the US after the US Navy and three Navy Seals once again demonstrated what is possible with strength through power. When threatened, neutralize the threat.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

This is an example of HRC fixing America’s image in the world. Right.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

In early March 2009 Iran’s Khamenei expressed several points that would suggest the US and Iran will not likely find agreement with any proposed dialogue that could occur. There seems to be much posturing by both Iran and the White House. Obama and other Democrats have pushed for talks with Iran for a long time claiming the two countries can work out problems. Those in the US opposing such talks argue concessions or appeasement would be the only items in which Iran would be interested. And Iran continues to maintain their opposition to Israel and deny involvement in terrorism or pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Iran Denounces US During Gaza Meeting
By Edward Yeranian
Cairo
04 March 2009

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in the opening speech at the conference that President Obama spoke of change during his campaign but supported Israel’s devastating three-week offensive against the Gaza Strip earlier this year.

He says that even the new American president, who came to office with the slogan of bringing change to the policies of the Bush administration, avows unconditional support for Israel’s security, which means defending state terrorism, injustice and oppression, as well as a 22-day long massacre of hundreds of Palestinian men, women and children. This, the Ayatollah said, is the same path of the Bush administration.

You may notice in the excerpt above that Khamenei conveniently omits attacks by Hamas, Hezbollah and others or describing them as terrorism. Yet clearly in the example he uses, the December 2009 retaliation by Israel from repeated rocket attacks by Hamas, was initiated by terrorists he refuses to acknowledge.

Khamenei called for a referendum of all those residents of historic Palestine, whom he termed “legitimate,” to determine the fate of the Holy Land.

He says that he is proposing a solution which is democratic in principle and which serves as a logical basis for everyone. All those who have a legitimate stake in the territory of Palestine, he says, including Muslims, Christians and Jews should choose the structure of their ruling system in a general referendum. He says that Palestinian exiles must also participate in the referendum.

Mr. Obama has said his administration is looking for opportunities to engage Iran to help reduce tensions between the two countries - particularly related to Iran’s nuclear program.

Khamenei’s comments Wednesday highlighted how difficult it will be for the Obama administration to improve relations given the deep disagreements on both sides on issues like Israel and Iran’s nuclear efforts.

And the Iranian leader insults the intelligence of anyone reading his words regarding a referendum. Even without doing a head count on those living in the areas mentioned, to add so-called Palestinian exiles would at the very least stack the deck with unverifiable votes reminiscent of ACORN and make this ‘referendum’ a self-fulfilling prophecy with a nearly unlimited quantity of phantom voters that are anti-Israel.

Syria Offers to Mediate With Iran
By Edward Yeranian
Cairo
18 March 2009

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is proposing to mediate between the West and Iran, telling an Italian newspaper that he’s prepared to act as a go-between to improve relations that have been further strained over Iran’s nuclear program.

How convenient that after Congressional Dems sponsored an appeasement tour of the Middle East in August 2007 and Obama has been calling for appeasement worldwide Syria decides to offer to be a mediator on the Iran nukes issue as well as improving foreign relations with the United States.

French President Nicholas Sarkozy urged Mr. Assad, during a conference in France last July, to use his influence to help resolve Iran’s nuclear standoff with the West.

President Assad noted that dialogue was the best means to end long-standing disputes with Tehran, arguing that any attempt to contain a country ends by strengthening it.

And it seems French President Sarkozy is hedging his bets. It may be fair to say his rise to power not unlike Obama’s was premised on change. Now that the honeymoon is long over two things stand out. Mention of him in the previous reference as inviting Syria to get involved and lately warming up to re-entering NATO. What’s that about? Go for appeasement and if that puts you at risk fall back on newly formed ties with NATO to do your fighting for you?

Iran Warms to Obama Appeal for Better Relations
By Edward Yeranian
Cairo
20 March 2009

Iranian government TV carried a traditional New Year’s greeting from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad calling it the day of the “rebirth of love, friendship, and aspiration,” but it was President Obama’s message that captured many people’s attention.

First of all, ‘love, friendship and aspiration’ coming from Ahmedinejad is in direct opposition to his statements that Israel must be eliminated. And the Iranian President also had this to say.

“Mr. Obama has talked of change, but has taken no practical measures to redress America’s past mistakes in Iran,” he said. “If Mr. Obama takes a concrete action and makes fundamental changes to U.S. foreign policy towards other nations, including Iran, the Iranian government and people will not turn their back on him. Mr. Obama has referred to differences between Iran and the US. We believe that those differences stem from Washington’s hostile policy towards Iran. Minor changes will not end the differences.”

It is obvious anything short of appeasement and caving to Iranian intentions will not produce effective solutions or dissuade Iran from their current agenda. Where the author came up with the title suggesting Iran is ‘warming’ to the US is a puzzle.

US Looking for Reciprocal Iranian Gesture After Obama Message
By David Gollust
State Department
20 March 2009

The State Department said Friday U.S. officials are looking for a reciprocal gesture from Iran after President Barack Obama’s conciliatory holiday message to the Iranian people and government Thursday. Mr. Obama said in a broadcast for the Iranian new year holiday Nowruz that the United States wants “honest engagement” with Tehran based on mutual respect.

If the report above is true there is confirmation that Hillary Rodham Clinton does not have a clue or thinks you do not.

At a news briefing, State Department acting spokesman Robert Wood said that the crux of the President’s message was that despite the serious differences that have marred the relationship over time, the Obama administration is committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues with Tehran.

Senior Iranian leaders have not given any direct response but Wood signaled patience, saying the process is at an early stage.

“We’re at the beginning of this process,” he said. “The President has made it clear we’re going to engage diplomatically with Iran. We intend to do that. It will be up to the Iranians how they want to reciprocate.”

“But I also want to emphasize we still have some very difficult issues that divide us. And what the President has said is that we want to work with Iran on trying to deal with these differences. We’re willing to diplomatically engage. It’s really going to be up to Iran,” he added.

Wood said the problem issues in the relationship include Iranian threats toward Israel and other countries in the region and its nuclear program, which U.S. officials believe is weapons-related despite statements from Tehran that it is for peaceful purposes only.

If you cite all the problems with Iran and what they are trying to accomplish and yet claim to hold out hope for a few publicly expressed kind words to initiate some sort of reconciliation two things become apparent. Either you’re an idiot or much more is going on behind the scenes and as usual public rhetoric is for political purposes. Of course it is always possible both are right.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Dismisses Obama’s Appeal
By Edward Yeranian
Cairo
21 March 2009
Speaking in the holy city of Mashhad Saturday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the United States is using “the slogan of change,” but that he sees no real change in U.S. policy toward Iran.

Change in rhetoric alone is not enough, he said, and even then we haven’t seen much change in vocabulary. Change, he insists, must be authentic.

This part could be called ‘ gimme something.’ Obviously Obama blinked and now the Iranians are feeling superior. Could it be that during the Bush Administration Iran only talked tough as they had no other options to save face? Now that an American President is ‘asking’ to talk they have the upper hand in a discussion. So now what? Does Obama expect them to roll over and play nice or is the opposition correct, Obama’a agenda is full of appeasement?

PRESS RELEASE - Washington, D.C., March 23, 2009 - President Obama’s message to the Iranian people on the Nowruz holiday drew millions of viewers and listeners to the Voice of America (www.VOANews.com ), the largest international Persian-language broadcaster.

By Monday, VOA sites had more than 134,000 views of the three-minute speech, which Obama delivered late last Thursday as Iranians prepared to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian new year. The video was posted on www.VOANews.com, www.VOANews.com/persian/, and VOA’s partner YouTube channels. VOA’s Persian News Network (PNN) also broadcast the message to Iran, a country with a restricted media, on satellite television and on shortwave radio.

Over the weekend, PNN received and broadcast e-mails from inside Iran, many of them praising Obama’s speech. In one, Arash said he was pleased with Obamas “message because he (Obama) actually recognizes the Islamic Republic of Iran.” The writer also said he hoped Iran’s leaders “will study Obama’s speech and make a good decision.”

In his remarks, Obama talked of a “new beginning,” saying he hoped Iran, the United States and other nations would form constructive ties. He also praised Iran’s “great and celebrated culture.”

VOA’s dissemination of the video was also cited by Fox News Network, the Times of London and the Guardian in the United Kingdom, among many other places.

Whatever happened to strength through power?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Obama is pushing for a two state solution to conflict in the Middle East between Israelis and Palestinians. Syria may have expressed there is a possibility of peace with Israel but the condition still hinges on the Palestinian question so what has really changed? A report indicates the US will not talk to Hezbollah as Britain will. Iran backs Hezbollah (among others) and the report below indicates Hezbollah will never recognize Israel.

Israel, a tiny country surrounded by a vast geographic expanse of Arab countries. Some of the problems have been centered on access or ownership of areas of religious significance but that seems to be more of an excuse to continue fighting than an honest grievance. The ‘bad blood’ between the two sides has a long history and to the casual observer it would seem much of the problem stems from violence through recent history more than any long standing disagreements.

Arab countries have held ’summits’ to address their own problems with each other. Could it be some would like to take advantage of a new leader from Israel’s most staunch ally, the US, and come to some sort of equitable solution? Even if that were true how do you keep all the parties in line that feel they have some sort of stake in this?

It really is not a simple problem to solve. But it seems the strategies offered or attempted over many years are merely repeats of failed attempts from the past. What is needed? Those directly involved, Israelis and Arabs, must find a way to put aside the anger and hate to do the right thing. Anything short of that will not work since a solution requires all involved to stop the madness. That is why this blog’s author is not optimistic this problem will be solved in our lifetime.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

The leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group said Friday his movement will never recognize Israel.

In a speech marking the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed, Hassan Nasrallah said he rejected American conditions for dialogue, including recognition of the state of Israel.

The United States considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization and has called on the Shi’ite group to renounce violence.

During his speech, Nasrallah also welcomed Arab reconciliation efforts and called on Arab nations to show support for Iran, which backs Hezbollah.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt held talks with Syria in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, this week, in a bid to mend rifts.