August 25, 2013

The US

Headline: U.S. says ready to carry out military options, if Obama chooses

To Read: Edward N. Luttwak argues that since Syria is a lose-lose situation for the US, it should aim for stalemate-

Maintaining a stalemate should be America’s objective. And the only possible method for achieving this is to arm the rebels when it seems that Mr. Assad’s forces are ascendant and to stop supplying the rebels if they actually seem to be winning.

This strategy actually approximates the Obama administration’s policy so far. Those who condemn the president’s prudent restraint as cynical passivity must come clean with the only possible alternative: a full-scale American invasion to defeat both Mr. Assad and the extremists fighting against his regime.

Quote: “the US will act even in the event that the UN Security Council does not take a decision to that effect”, an Israeli military report predicts that the US will intervene in Syria if the reports on chemical attacks are confirmed.

Number: 9, the percentage of Americans who believe that Obama “should act” in Syria.

Israel

Headline:  PM: Israel's 'finger on the pulse' of Syria developments, if necessary will also be 'on the trigger'

To Read: Khaled Abu Toameh points out that, ironically,  Israel is virtually the only place in the Middle East where Muslims can publicly support Morsi-

 Arab journalists and columnists in Israel have been expressing their views about the Egyptian crisis without fear, while their colleagues in Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority are afraid to speak their mind.

Israel, for example, is one of the few countries in the Middle East where Muslims are permitted to demonstrate in favor of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood organization.

This is not because Israel supports Morsi or the Muslim Brotherhood; it is because the Muslim protesters know that in a democratic country like Israel they can hold peaceful demonstrations and express their views without having to worry about being targeted by the authorities.

Quote:  “There is nothing that prevents a meeting with Netanyahu when the time comes for that and there is a need to meet”, PA President Mahmoud Abbas on a possible encounter with the Israeli PM.

Number: 34, the percentage of Israeli managers who have no academic degree.

The Middle East

Headline: Syria warns US against military action

To Read: Charles Krauthammer thinks that the US should do its math and support the generals in Egypt–

Regarding Egypt, rather than emoting, we should be thinking: what’s best for Egypt, for us and for the possibility of some eventual democratic future. Under the Brotherhood, such a possibility is zero. Under the generals, slim.

Slim trumps zero.

Quote:  “The basic repercussion would be a ball of fire that would burn not only Syria but the whole Middle East”, Syrian Information Minister, Omran al-Zoabi, warning the US of attacking in Syria.

Number: 100,000, the estimated number of missiles and rockets which Syrian President Assad's forces possess.

The Jewish World

Headline: Will merger unite UK Jewry or divide it further?

To Read: Bible scholar Robin Gallaher Branch writes about the role of humor and laughter in the bible-

As I study and teach, I find I read the Bible ever more slowly, and as I do, I smile more and more frequently. I listen for its humor. My emotions span sorrow, understanding or joy as I empathize with the characters who cross its pages. I chuckle at many passages, even while acknowledging the sadness they may contain. Consequently, I believe it’s possible to read many verses, stories and even books through the lens of humor, indeed to see portions of the Bible as intended to be very funny. An appropriate response is laughter. I’ve come to this conclusion: Humor is a fundamental sub-theme in both testaments.

Quote:  “Even in its best version, so-called ‘nationality bills’ are unnecessary, and unnecessary legislation should not be passed. In its worst versions, its a harmful bill for our shared lives in this land and for our image abroad”, Yesh Atid MK Offer Shelah opposing some new legislatory suggestions which aim to define the relations between Judaism and democracy in Israel.  

Number: 'at least 17', the number of women who are accusing the Jewish Mayor of San Diego of sexual harassment, causing him to resign.