Topic: American Israel Public Affairs Committee

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House adopts hard line on Iran. Would stance move US closer to war?

A House resolution approved Thursday talks of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapons 'capability.' It's a murkier but redder line than obtaining weapons, and critics say it lowers the threshold for military action.
Liz Cheney: Are we ready for another political dynasty?

Liz Cheney – daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney – may be positioning herself to run for Congress from Wyoming, the state her father represented. Is America ready for another political dynasty?
The Crisis of Zionism

Is the American Jewish establishment putting Israel's democratic ideals at risk?
Attacking Iran: Did US just torpedo Israeli deal for a base in Azerbaijan?

Israel is developing a 'secret staging ground' in Azerbaijan for a possible attack on Iran, reports Foreign Policy magazine. US officials aren't happy with that, and may have leaked the story.
Obama help with Israeli preemptive strike on Iran would violate international, US law

For all the talk in Washington of solidarity with Israel on Iran, jumping to Israel’s aid in a preemptive strike would clearly violate international and US law. Obama must tell Israel that only self-defense against an armed attack would trigger American participation.
Majority of Israelis oppose a unilateral strike on Iran nuclear program

Two polls that came out this week show that as many as two-thirds of Israelis oppose a strike on Iran nuclear sites even without US support – a step the prime minister has threatened.
Iran offers rare praise for 'the Great Satan' (+video)

Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei directed rare praise at the United States, welcoming a speech by President Obama that aimed to cool war rhetoric surrounding Iran's nuclear program.
A preemptive attack on Iran? US Jews are deeply divided.

The AIPAC conference in Washington elicited one hawkish pronouncement after another from US leaders. But American Jews are deeply split over how to deal with Iran's nuclear aspirations.
Backchannels
Netanyahu gives Obama the Book of Esther. Biblical parable for nuclear Iran?

Esther tells of a Persian plot against the Jews that was thwarted through cunning and the intercession of a gentile king. Purim, the holiday that celebrates the story, starts tonight.
War games: Republicans could write Obama blank check on Iran

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that Congress should consider giving the president preemptive authority to attack Iran. Democratic leaders were wary of the plan.
Obama chides rivals for 'popping off' about war with Iran over nukes

At a Super Tuesday press conference, Obama sought to draw a sharp line between himself and the GOP presidential field over handling of the Iran nuclear program. 'Loose talk,' he suggested, does not befit a commander in chief.
Benjamin Netanyahu goes to Congress, saying patience with Iran wears thin

Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to find greater sympathy in Congress than at the Obama White House for his view that time grows short to halt Iran's nuclear-weapons development.
Terrorism & Security
UN inspectors get rare access to suspected Iran nuclear site

Tehran confirmed today that UN inspectors can visit Parchin, a military complex where a chamber for explosives tests has raised concerns about Iran nuclear weapons development.
Military strike on Iran: Are Obama and Netanyahu now on the same page?

President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have found new 'convergence' on stopping Iran from building a nuclear bomb. But important differences of opinion remain.
Why Israel's Netanyahu doesn't fully trust Obama on Iran

Part of the friction comes from Obama making the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a top priority early on, putting off Netanyahu's demands for urgent action on the Iran nuclear program.
Obama-Netanyahu crisis meeting: Can leaders overcome lack of trust?

Obama hosted Netanyahu at the White House Monday to discuss how to resolve their differences over Iran and its nuclear program. But the lack of trust on both sides is deep.
Backchannels
Inside AIPAC and out, Obama's opponents turn up the heat

Attack ads from lobbying groups, warnings of nuclear doom from GOP hopefuls, and saber-rattling from the punditocracy surround AIPAC's annual meeting.
AIPAC concerns aside, Israelis say Iran is a waning hegemon

Israeli leaders see Iran in danger of losing its dominance in the region as Syria, the linchpin of Tehran's regional alliance, falters. But a nuclear weapon could help it regain lost ground.
Shimon Peres: a dovish voice in Obama's ear

Israeli President Shimon Peres meets with President Obama today. Mr. Peres opposes an Israeli preemptive strike on Iran, adding a dovish voice to deliberations between the US and Israel.
Time to attack Iran? Obama-Netanyahu summit could make fateful decision.

There may be more agreement between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on how to proceed about Iran than some observers suggest.
Backchannels
Iran debate: If Obama doesn't bluff, he's not a good poker player

President Obama's interview with The Atlantic can be seen as a preemptive strike to control the nuclear Iran narrative ahead of Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu's visit next week.
Obama's mesage to Israel and Iran: 'I don't bluff'

President Obama meets with Israel's prime minister Monday and will warn Israel not to unilaterally attack Iran. He also told the Atlantic magazine it was "unacceptable" for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.
Backchannels
If Israeli voters get their way, no attack on Iran without US help

So says a new poll.
Nuclear talks with Iran? Senators implore Obama to draw line in the sand.

The senators are urging Obama to demand that Iran suspend all of its uranium enrichment during any negotiations over its nuclear program, a position that could scuttle chances for the talks.
Bomb Iran? Nearly half of Americans say 'yes' to halt nuclear program.

A new You-Gov poll finds 44 percent of Americans favor, and 35 percent oppose, a strike against Iran. Fewer Europeans favor force, but more are convinced Iran is trying to build a nuclear bomb.