February 5, 2013

The US

Headline

John Kerry takes the helm at State, signals early push on peace in Middle East

To Read

FP’s David Rothkopf believes the US has gone too far with its risk-averse foreign policy:

Without speaking to the merits of the Clinton-Petraeus plan, the fact that not only was it avoided but that in so doing the Obama White House maintained its consistent opposition to all but the most limited, lowest-risk sort of interventions in the region suggests a divide within even Democratic foreign-policy circles. It seems clear that a Hillary Clinton administration would have intervened faster not only in Syria but also in Libya. We can speculate about where else it might have taken a tougher line, but the question this incident raises should be front and center: Is less always more in U.S. foreign policy?

Quote

“As the saying goes, I have big heels to fill”, John Kerry thanking his predecessor on his first day on the job.

Number

1.8 million, the number of angry responses prompted by Senator McCain’s Ahmadinejad joke, according to Al Jazeera.

Israel

Headline

120 members of 19th Knesset set to be sworn in

To Read

Rabbi Shlomo Brody takes an interesting look at Israel’s booming military equipment export industry from the perspective of the Halakhah:

 Can halakhah provide a definitive answer to this political and moral dilemma?  Perhaps not.  Yet, as previously argued with regard to the American gun control debate, it does provide a framework of values to consider when setting policy.  One hopes that Israeli officials will take these principles into consideration and that Israeli voters will ask themselves which candidates combine the strategic wisdom and moral fortitude to manage Israel's booming defense industry appropriately.

Quote

“He's convinced he is running the country. Tzipi Livni had 28 seats in the previous Knesset and never expressed herself this way. Lapid barely has 19 seats”, a Netanyahu confidant talking about Yair Lapid’s recent string of remarks.

Number

17,000, the number of racers expected at the Jerusalem marathon.

The Middle East

Headline

Iran arrests former Tehran prosecutor

To Read

According to Mideast specialist Jonathan Stacher, the Muslim Brotherhood is unsettled but not necessarily on the verge of collapse-

And, although disruptive, the recent protests have not threatened to bring down Morsi's government. Egypt is not on the verge of collapse, nor is such an outcome likely even if violence persists. The number of demonstrators is high, but it is not the critical mass that gathered during the 18 days of mobilization that culminated in toppling Mubarak. Still, the government needs to make substantial changes to calm tensions.

Quote

“The regime must take a clear stand (on dialogue) and we say we will extend our hand for the interest of people and to help the regime leave peacefully”, Syrian opposition leader, Moaz al-Khatib, in an interview for Al-Arabiya.

Number

225, the number of people who have been detained from the vicinity of Cairo's Tahrir Square since the second anniversary of Egypt's Revolution.

The Jewish World

Headline

Dissenters on Panel Blast Study Claiming Palestinian Textbooks Don't Vilify Jews

To Read

Judea Pearl, father of Daniel Pearl, writes about the meaning of Ed Koch’s choice to use his son’s words on his epitaph:

Most Jews have simple epitaphs on their headstones—perhaps a quote from Psalms or a passage from the Torah, or maybe a phrase proclaimed by one of the prophets. Ed Koch, the former mayor of New York, who died at 88 last Friday and is being buried today in his city, has the last words spoken by our son Daniel Pearl before he was murdered by terrorists in 2002: “My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish.”

Quote

“Tough, loud, irreverent and full of humor and chutzpah, he was our city’s quintessential mayor”, Mayor Bloomberg eulogizing Ed Koch at Temple Emanu-El.

Number

8, the number of Jewish Super-Bowl champions.