Noteworthy
Russia Sets Out Tough Terms for Resolving Syria’s Civil War
Moscow wants Iran in on any Syria talks, and is taking advantage of the turmoil to advance its own agenda, writes Tony Karon in Time.
Moscow is pressing its own ideas on how to deal with the failure of the Annan plan to gain traction. It believes the fighting can only be stopped by a consensus of all external parties who are backing the various combatants. Annan concurs, having asked all governments with influence to “twist arms” to achieve a cease-fire. To that end, Moscow has proposed holding an international conference on Syria of the Western powers, Russia and China, Arab League countries, Turkey and Iran.
The Beginning of the End for Liberal Jewry
Jonathan S. Tobin of Commentary Magazine takes a look at a significant demographic shift illustrated in the new report on the New York Jewish community, and what it means for American Jewry.
If, as the survey tells us, 40 percent of Jews in New York City and 74 percent of all Jewish children are Orthodox, then this must inform our conclusions not only about what American Jews believe but also about its future. When combined with the nearly one-third of Jews who are abandoning Jewish identity altogether, this paints a picture of an American Jewish population that is comprised of two ships passing each other in the night — one becoming increasingly Orthodox and the other on the brink of not being Jewish at all.
Media Digest
Times of Israel: Gilad Shalit becomes sports columnist
Haaretz: State Comptroller report: Netanyahu inadequately heeded IDF warnings ahead of Gaza flotilla raid
The Jerusalem Post: ‘Hezbollah may move Syrian arms to Lebanon’
New York Times: Heavier Weapons Push Syrian Crisis Toward Civil War
Washington Post: Egypt forms constitutional body after lengthy battle
Wall Street Journal: Iran Says It Plans Nuclear Submarine