fbpx
[additional-authors]
November 25, 2013

The US

Headline: Obama has leeway on Iran, despite U.S. lawmakers' concerns

To Read: The WSJ isn't happy with the Iran deal-

Mr. Obama seems determined to press ahead with an Iran deal regardless of the details or damage. He views it as a legacy project. A President has enormous leeway on foreign policy, but Congress can signal its bipartisan unhappiness by moving ahead as soon as possible to strengthen sanctions. Mr. Obama warned Congress not to do so in his weekend remarks, but it is the only way now to stop the President from accommodating a nuclear Iran.

The NYT disagrees (and criticizes Netanyahu)-

Even though the temporary agreement does not achieve permanent and total dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program, no one can seriously argue that it doesn’t make the world safer. It would freeze key aspects of Iran’s program for six months and lay the ground for negotiating a comprehensive, permanent deal. The alternatives are ratcheting up sanctions and possible military action, with no assurance that those steps would stop Iran’s nuclear advances. A negotiated solution is unquestionably better; it is alarming to hear Israeli politicians reject it in extremist terms and threaten unspecified unilateral action.

Quote: “We talked to the prime minister today about the things we can do together – the United Kingdom and the United States and its other friends – in order to help Libya to achieve the stability that it needs”, John Kerry committing the US to Libya's security efforts.

Number: 50, the percentage of Obama's goals that were reached in the Iran deal, according to Jeffrey Goldberg.

 

Israel

Headline: Obama to Netanyahu: US will remain committed to Israel

To Read: TNR's Ben Birenbaum argues that the Iran deal could actually be a considered as a win for Israel-

Another top Israeli security figure recently noted to me that if the deal taking shape in Geneva were to forestall a nuclear-armed Iran for a couple of years, it would be almost as effective as an Israeli military strike—with none of the consequences, of course. Compared to the current situation, the Geneva deal does not clear that bar. But compared to where the Iranian program would be six months from now without a deal, it could come close.

Quote: “Part of Israel's policy was to ask for the maximum with the hope and aspiration that at least half would be accepted. I'm sure that the prime minister and others didn't expect all of their demands to be fulfilled, because it's not real”, Former head of the Iran division in the Prime Minister's Office, Yoel Guzansky, commenting on the Iran deal.

Number: $350m, the amount of money Apple is reportedly going to pay for Israeli tech company Prime Sense.

 

The Middle East

Headline: EU likely to lift Iran sanctions in December

To Read: Political scientist Steven Spiegel believes that this is the time for treaties between the US and its Middle East allies-

One strategy might reassure America’s allies, and the United States should adopt it now: Alongside any further agreement reached with Iran about halting or rolling back its nuclear program, offer Israel and the Arab states a network of treaties or other formal commitments guaranteeing that an attack by Iran on any of those countries would be considered an attack on the United States.

Quote: “They didn’t sign onto this in order to breach it… The Iranians came to Geneva to get sanctions lifted. They understand that this [interim deal] is a test. It will be illogical for them to breach it in the next six months. It might be more logical for them to try to escape it after six months”, former IDF Intel Chief Amos Yadlin discussing the positive sides of the Iran deal.

Number: 160, the number of people dead after a rebel-led attempt to break a siege in a suburb of Damascus.

 

The Jewish World

Headline: J Street welcomes deal, WJC calls Tehran’s promises worthless

To Read: Joanna Saidel tells the amazing story of a reformed anti-Semite friend of Heinrich Himmler who convinced the SS Chief to defy the Fuhrer, saving thousands of Jews from death-

These documents indicate that Musy was able to persuade his old friend Himmler that, while the war was lost, there was still a narrow window of opportunity available to him: that if he worked against Hitler to keep camp inmates alive, stopping the death marches, gassings and executions, he could expect somewhat more favorable international treatment and a greater chance of post-war survival.

Quote:  “The neo-Nazis are gaining many political victories and are using the democratic system against democrats. Democracy has to fight back and European officials should immediately create a plan of action, including the proscription of neo-Nazi political parties, to deal with this phenomenon before it is too late”, European Jewish Congress President Moshe Cantor commenting on the victory of a neo-Nazi candidate in Slovakia.

Number: $1m, the amount of money that Alabama native Larry Blumberg paid to bring more Jews to his temple.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

More news and opinions than at a
Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.