September 21, 2014

US

Eric Edelman, Ray Takeyh and Denis Ross remind us that Iran is still America’s biggest challenge in the Middle East –

The United States and Iran stand at opposite ends of the spectrum of Middle East politics. The Islamic republic’s ideological compulsions and sheer opportunism make it an unlikely ally for the West. The coincidence of mutual opposition to a radical Sunni terrorist group should not blind us to the enduring threat that the mullahs represent.

Eli Lake discusses the Obama administration’s legal complications surrounding the war against ISIS –

In the last week, administration lawyers, senior officials and intelligence analysts have made the case that the 9/11 law applies to ISIS in classified and open hearings. Many lawmakers are naturally skeptical, since the two groups formally parted ways last winter.  The briefings didn't exactly dispel this skepticism. In some of them, intelligence analysts conceded that both al Qaeda and ISIS operate under separate command and control structures and are indeed distinct organizations at this point.

Israel

Yoaz Hendel has some harsh words for the Likud, which has become “the settlements’ party” –

Menachem Begin's Likud supported the settlements, but it wasn't the settlements' party. There's a significant difference. Israel's territory covers some 21,000 square kilometers beyond the region of Judea and Samaria. The Likud Knesset members, however, spread themselves out primarily there.

The biggest challenges facing the State of Israel today lie in the Gaza-border area, the Golan Heights, and in Jerusalem, where a third intifada has begun unnoticed. If the Likud members are looking for places where citizens are crying out for public relations, the list is a long one. They can approach me. Despite all my appreciation for the settlement enterprise, it cannot be the sole focus of a ruling party. That's what sectorial parties are for.

Akiva Eldar raises some questions about the current relevance of the ‘Israel is our biggest ally’ thesis –

Today, too, while IS is advancing toward its borders, Israel, the closest US ally, is looking on from the sidelines as the superpower and its partners take action. Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel both bypassed Jerusalem in their recent trips to the region. Once again it’s time to ask whether Israel is, in fact, the most important strategic US asset in the region.

Middle East

Ross Douthat believes that we are wittnessing Iraq all over again –

Perhaps, just perhaps, there might be a lesson here about how hard it is to conjure up reliable allies amid the chaos of the current Middle East. But if so, we seem determined not to learn it, since our official strategy for fighting the Islamic State involves basically trying the same thing again, this time on the cheap: inventing allies, funneling them money and weaponry, and telling ourselves that it will all work out.

According to this Times piece, ISIS has quite a business plan –

What makes IS powerful today is the fact that they laid out their military strategy based on where oil fields are located. The fact that they went after northeast Syria and northern Iraq is not coincidental by any means. Islamic State may be ruthless and brutal, but it is first and foremost a terrorist organization with an astute business plan.

The capture of oil wells in Syria and Iraq has made the group financially self-sufficient. Now it’s all or nothing.

Jewish World

Forward's Lenore Skenazy talks to Rabbis about people who only come to synagogue during High Holidays –

 “I used to feel this is my one shot to give them a good experience so they’ll come back,” said Rabbi Eliyahu Fink of Pacific Jewish Center (the Shul on the Beach), in Venice, California. “Now my current perspective is, ‘If somebody has a good experience because they come to the High Holidays, I don’t want to minimize that, as if it’s only valuable [if] they’ll come back. I want this to be a great experience, no strings attached.” In other words, he said, the High Holy Days are “not a gateway drug.”

Leonard Cohen, who turns 80 years old today, reflects on his legacy (here’s another piece, and here’s an interesting review of his new album by Cohen scholar Liel Leibowitz) –

Some people care about their work lasting forever – I have little interest in it. You probably know that great story about Bob Hope. His wife came to him and said, “There's two plots available at Forest Lawn. One looks at some beautiful cypress trees, one looks over the valley. Which do you think you'd prefer?” He said, “Surprise me.” That's the way I feel about posterity and how I'm remembered. Surprise me.