- Prof. Efraim Inbar
- June 28, 2009
- Paper No. 83
In his diplomatic address at the BESA Center, Netanyahu successfully
redefined the Israeli consensus and became a mainstream political leader.
Barack Obama
- Prof. Jonathan Rynhold
- June 9, 2009
- Paper No. 79
Obamaโs "soft power" approach cannot form the basis for a sound, workable American strategy in the Middle East. The speech lacked resolve regarding the most urgent problem for Israel and America's other regional allies โ the imminent threat of Iranโs nuclear weapons program.
- Prof. Efraim Inbar
- May 11, 2009
- Paper No. 75
Obamaโs intention to "engage" countries like Iran and Syria in order to
start a "new page" in bilateral relations strike most Israelis and Mideast Arabs as naรฏve. Both the Arabs and Israel want to see Iran and its proxies rolled back, not appeased, by Washington.
- Prof. Eytan Gilboa
- March 18, 2009
- Paper No. 72
Obamaโs idealism will face harsh realities that limit his policy options,
especially with regard to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and Iran.
Obama and Netanyahu are both pragmatic leaders capable of adjusting to realities; and thus can be expected to make efforts to avoid a major confrontation.
- Prof. Hillel Frisch
- January 28, 2009
- Paper No. 62
Throughout the Middle East, deep Muslim political divide could stymie
President Obamaโs well-intentioned Mideast efforts. Mainstream Arab
countries, like Israel, seek US resolve in confronting the Iranian-led axis, not an "outstretched American hand" to the radical part of the Muslim world.
- Rafael L. Bardajรญ
- January 18, 2009
- Paper No. 59
Hatred of, and disdain for, George W. Bush was the European excuse
for refusing American requests for diplomatic and military cooperation.
How will Europe, which is in love with Obama, now justify saying no?
- Prof. Jonathan Rynhold
- November 6, 2008
- Paper No. 50
Barack Obama has enunciated a clear program for Middle East policy based on multilateralism and negotiations to deal with Iran, Iraq and the Arab-Israeli conflict. In reality he will have to make tough choices when other countries reject the US approach, especially with regard to Iran.