Obama’s 2010 Successes and Failures in the Middle East

Juan Cole / Truthdig Dec 21, 2010 As the decade draws to a close, it is clear that the bright hopes inspired by Obama’s 2009 Cairo speech have markedly faded, and the disappointments have outweighed achievements in the most important arena for contemporary American foreign policy.The disappointments have outweighed achievements in the most important arena for contemporary American foreign policy. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

The World Is Safer Without a Republican House

Juan Cole / Truthdig Nov 2, 2010 A Republican victory has the potential to keep the US in Iraq and Afghanistan, derail the beleaguered peace process and worsen U security. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Labor Party Threatens to Walk Out of Israeli Government

Staff / Truthdig Nov 1, 2010 Motivating by either a renewed hope for peace in the Middle East or a desire for political power, Israel's Labor Party has threatened to walk out of the country's coalition government unless serious negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis get under way in the coming weeks. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Bulldozer

Olle Johansson, Cagle Cartoons, Sweden Oct 12, 2010 Dig deeper

Mental State of Their Own

Mr. Fish / Truthdig Sep 28, 2010 Dig deeper

Netanyahu Urges Settler Restraint

Staff / Truthdig Sep 26, 2010 With a 10-month moratorium on settlement construction in the West Bank about to expire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is urging Israeli settlers to show restraint. President Barack Obama has prodded Israel to extend the moratorium, and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas says Israel must choose between peace and the continuation of Jewish settlements. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Mideast Peace Talks Take One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Staff / Truthdig Sep 14, 2010 Negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority could implode before they even get off the ground. Hillary Clinton and George Mitchell will have their chaperoning cut out for them, with the PA threatening to withdraw if Israel resumes settlement construction and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing a plan to do just that. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Guess Who’s Coming to the Table?

William Pfaff / Truthdig Sep 2, 2010 There is no serious reason to consider direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority anything other than a political pantomime, although believers -- if such remain -- may pray for a miracle. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

U.S., Jordan Urge Israelis and Palestinians to Reboot Peace Talks

Staff / Truthdig Apr 13, 2010 As part of the multinational Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, President Barack Obama met with Jordan's King Abdullah II on Monday to discuss, among other things, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to encourage both sides to resume proximity peace talks, according to the AFP. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Rifts Persist Between Israel, U.S. After Netanyahu Visit

Staff / Truthdig Mar 24, 2010 Their closed-door discussion was "honest and straightforward," according to White House press chief Robert Gibbs, but alas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Barack Obama weren't able to fully iron out their differences during Tuesday's tête-à-tête. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Clinton Calls Netanyahu Out on Settlement Expansion Project

Staff / Truthdig Mar 13, 2010 Just days after Vice President Joe Biden's good-will trip to Israel, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver a stern warning about Israel's announcement, which unfortunately coincided with Biden's visit, that it will build 1,600 more housing units in East Jerusalem. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Talking With the Taliban

Staff / Truthdig Jan 29, 2010 News coming out of Afghanistan claims that a United Nations envoy has held secret talks in Dubai with Taliban leaders to discuss peace terms. If confirmed, the meeting would be the first ever between the U.N. and senior Taliban members. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )