Topic: Dennis Ross

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Mitt Romney's foreign trip ends. Good thing for him these are the dog days.

Mitt Romney may be glad his less-than-perfect trip to London, Israel, and Poland has wrapped up – ending with his press secretary cursing at pushy reporters. But the good news for him is that few voters are paying attention.
DREAM deferred? Will Obama order make immigration reform harder?

President Obama, acting without Congress, took steps to curtail deportations for young illegal immigrants. Republicans say the move could jeopardize prospects for immigration reform.
Iran nuclear talks: why optimism could be different this time

The meeting in Baghdad will discuss Iran’s nuclear program. The US and some of its partners are speaking more hopefully about prospects for these talks than at almost any point in the past.
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.
Terrorism & Security Israel, US dismiss Iran's most recent nuclear progress claims

Iran made a show yesterday of the loading of domestically produced fuel rods and installment of new centrifuges. Israel and the US see the moves as bravado.
Iran's good cop, bad cop act: agrees to talks, flaunts nuclear advances

Iran has agreed to return to talks about its nuclear program. But it also trumpeted advances in that nuclear program, showing that it wants to bargain from a position of strength.
Terrorism & Security Israel's public campaign against Iran has West on edge

Israel's steady stream of warnings against Iran troubles Western leaders, who worry that Israel will act unilaterally.
Obama's Iran policy shifted from outreach to pressure and sanctions

Obama intended to go the extra mile on engagement, his aides said, so if the gambit failed, allies and adversaries alike could not point the finger at the United States as the 'bad guy.' Instead, they would rally behind the effort to pressure Iran.
Terrorism & Security US issues direct warning to Iran: close the Strait of Hormuz, risk military action

The US reportedly used a secret channel to convey to Iran more forcefully that closing the Strait of Hormuz would provoke a military response.
Stamp prices: Up another penny in 2012

Stamp prices will rise from 44 cents to 45 cents for a one-ounce first-class letter. Rise in stamp prices takes effect Jan. 22.
Palestinian bid at UN ends peace process as we know it (video)

The weak foundations of the Palestinian-Israeli peace process may well come tumbling down this week.
UN vote on Palestine: Can Tony Blair prevent a diplomatic train wreck?

With Israeli and Palestinian leaders converging on the UN to state their cases, some warn that a diplomatic clash could lead to renewed Mideast violence. But Tony Blair reportedly has a plan.
Palestinians ask Obama: Why not endorse our Arab Spring?

President Obama is sending two Middle East envoys back to the region Tuesday for a final stab at dissuading the Palestinians from seeking a UN vote on statehood.
Why House conservatives are offering fresh plan on federal debt

Reeling from the reaction to Rep. Paul Ryan's proposal to reform Medicare, an influential group of House Republicans offers an alternative plan to lock in spending and rein in the federal debt.
US-Israel collision averted over Middle East peace, but for how long?

On the eve of a Netanyahu-Obama meeting, the decision by Hamas to join Fatah in a Palestinian coalition has delayed, at least, a US-Israel clash over competing visions for the Middle East peace process.
With Mideast peace talks adrift, the US searches for Plan B

With the Obama administration's big idea to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks – a settlement freeze – abandoned, the region is skeptical about American leadership.
West Bank dispute: Palestinian leader gives peace talks one-week reprieve

One day after Israeli moratorium on settlements expires, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delays his decision on whether to quit the US-backed Middle East peace talks for one week.
Opinion: Gaza flotilla: Why the blockade makes sense for Israel

Until Hamas accepts Israel’s right to exist and stops launching rocket attacks, Israel may have to continue the Gaza blockade.
Envoy Mitchell kicks off Mideast peace push

In Syria, Mitchell said peace between Israel and Syria was a 'near-term goal.' Syrian, Israeli, Egyptian, and Palestinian leaders are meeting with the special envoy, who will be joined by Defense Secretary Gates and other high-level US officials.
Opinion: Secretary Clinton: Dutiful diplomat? Or 2012 candidate?

So far, she's hewed so close to the Obama party line that she sounds like a clone of the president.
Ahead of summit, Obama and Netanyahu press different agendas

When the leaders meet Monday, the US will push for progress toward a Palestinian state, while Israel will ask for a harder line on Iran.
The Monitor's View: Obama's back door to Iran ties

First create trust by seeking a deal on Afghanistan – it's a mess for both.
US begins to reach out to Iran, but slowly and cautiously

Iran's nuclear program prompts Israel to signal possible action in 2010. More sanctions could become an option.
Opinion: Build on Bush's Middle East progress

Despite Bush's early mistakes, Obama's team can keep valuable momentum there.
US officials weigh Iran's nuclear weapons capability

Defense Secretary Gates said Tehran was not close to having a bomb. A new report in which senior advisers to Obama participated urges further sanctions.