Posted on 06/15/2009 1:14:46 PM PDT by NavySEAL F-16
Dennis Ross, Out As Special Envoy To Iran; Was He Ousted Because He's A Jew Or A Bit Hawkish On Nukes?
The news that Dennis Ross, long time State Department strategist and peace processor, is being bounced as special envoy to Iran comes from an article by Barak Ravid in the reliable (at least on these matters) Ha'aretz. The story seems to assume that Ross was declared persona non grata by Tehran either because he was a Jew or because he believes that Iran should not be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons. If the Obama administration so readily capitulated to Dr. Ahmadinejad's masters or minions, there's another reason to be worried about its seriousness in this very serious encounter between antagonists. No, we are actually enemies.
To have crumbled precisely while the regime of the ayatollahs is facing a real crisis of confidence at home and something of a challenge to its legitimacy abroad is, well, just that: crumbling. It certainly does not testify to American resilience, even diplomatically. My instinct here is that the president and Mrs. Clinton are so eager to engage--engage even for its own sake--that they'll do anything to please the other. This does not come as a result of analysis. It is, I am sorry to say, a predicated formula.
I had an inkling of trouble a few weeks ago when The New Republic was negotiating to publish a small part of a new book, Myths, Illusions and Peace: Finding a New Direction for America in the Middle East, which Ross co-wrote with David Makovsky. Yes, the text of the book raises the possibility of a strike of last resort against Iran's nuclear installations. In any event, the State Department wouldn't give its approval. And you now know why. Or do you? I believe it's because the administration has given up the military option.
Now, as Ha'aretz has it, Ross may be moved into the Israeli-Palestinian peace process on which he worked forever and a day, for both George H.W. Bush (which also means James Baker) and Bill Clinton. He no longer is saddled with the illusions of their administrations about how you negotiate on that issue. But George Mitchell is, if anything, more encumbered by the make-believe reality that is basic to carrying on of the process. That would not be a good match for Ross. He knows too much. And Mitchell knows only ... well, pretty close to nothing but cliches.
Maybe,another one of the left is seeing Obama for what he is.
This was in the New Republic? Shocking.
Mitchell's an Arab. I find that a helluva lot more "telling" than the fact that Obama cashiered a pro-Israel public service with a bipartisan track record.
Mitchell was the Senate majority leader who promised President Bush (Senior) that they would go along with holding the line on congressional spending if Bush would break his promise - NO NEW TAXES - and approve tax legislation.
Bush approved the tax hikes, and Mitchell laughed for the rest of Bush’s term as the Democrat controlled congress went on a spending spree.
George Mitchell is scum.
FOBs = OK
FJBs = NO GO
Peretz like Ross is a Democrat with a generally realistic view of the Middle East. Ross learned a lot from his role in the Clinton Administration follies (i.e., the Oslo Accords).
After 9/11, he was on FNC a lot and seemed to be reasonably well informed and non-partisan. However, he disappeared after the Bush hatefest started and Dems tried to re-write history. In that sense, he is not exactly a profile in political courage.
I saw him on FNC a lot during the Bush years.
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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Both, add to it though he strongly supports a two state solution, he doesn't trust the palestinians. I acknowledge the Jewish issue, just as women are a problem in these positions. For Condi, he race was a second handicap. But in the real world you take these things into consideration, after going ahead, you stick with your position. Score a little one for the Iranians.
Dennis Ross has been pretty good in the past. He loves Israel. I think he joined the Obamma team in hopes of bringing some sanity to their Israel policy
He may not have even voted for 0bama but hoped to help in a positive way
Marty Peretz is old school. He loves Israel. I hope he wasn’t fool enough to vote 0bama. Wasn’t that the thing with John McCain? That conservative Democrats would vote for him?
When Marty Peretz owned the New Republic it was not a conservative publication but was pro-Israel and published some articles conservatives would agree with
>> When Marty Peretz owned the New Republic it was not a conservative publication but was pro-Israel and published some articles conservatives would agree with <<
Not only that:
Krauthammer was on the staff at one time, and I believe they even published articles by Brit Hume and Fred Barnes.
BTW, the announcement of Ross's ouster is merely speculation until it is confirmed.
if Ross is being brought in to work on ME it is becae he has a history with Netanyahu from the Wye Accords.
In his book “The Missing Peace” he trashed Bibi -
“Bibi was overcome by hubris. He had suprised us all by winning....In the meeting with President Clinton Netanyahu was nearly insufferable”
I think Rahmbo believes Ross can put Bibi in his place.
see post #14
and I forgot the link
Check out this 2002 thread on Dennis Ross
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/670550/posts#33
Did Ross trash Netanyahu? Sounds believable but he is the best of a bad lot. Just look who 0bomo’s other Mid East advisers are
Best of a bad lot is accurate.
How low we’ve sunk in the US of A.
BTW Dennis Ross also worked in for George Herbert Walker Bush on Israel and the Middle East
I did not know. Thanks.
People like Dennis Ross may actually believe they are helping Israel. How’s that for hubris.
The story seems to assume that Ross was declared persona non grata by Tehran either because he was a Jew or because he believes that Iran should not be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons. If the Obama administration so readily capitulated to Dr. Ahmadinejad's masters or minions, there's another reason to be worried about its seriousness in this very serious encounter between antagonists. No, we are actually enemies.
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