The Swiss Court of Arbitration ruled (Iranian report) that Israel owes Iran $1.1-billion resulting from a joint oil venture founded in the era of the Shah. After the Iranian revolution, Israel nationalized the venture and sold the hundreds of millions worth of Iranian oil flowing through the pipeline. Israel never returned anything to the Iranians. Nor … [Read more...]
Obama’s Agreement to Russian S-300 Weapons Delivery to Iran, Slap in Bibi’s Face?
A new article in Middle East Eye offers a fascinating "take" on Vladimir Putin's recent announcement that Russia would resume delivery to Iran of its $800-million S-300 anti-aircraft system. After intensive lobbying by Bibi Netanyahu, in 2009 Pres. Obama pressured Putin to delay shipment of the advanced weapons system. Putin agreed the following year. The … [Read more...]
Bibi: You Don’t Speak for Me. Cancel the Speech
A few weeks ago, House Speaker John Boehner and Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer cooked up what they thought was a surefire way to stick a finger in the eye of their nemesis, Pres. Barack Obama, advance Israel's anti-Iran interests, and ensure Bibi wins the next election. Boehner invited Bibi Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress two weeks before the … [Read more...]
IDF Chief Warns of International Intervention if Israel Doesn’t Solve Palestine Conflict
IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, two weeks before ending his term, offered his thoughts (in Hebrew) on Israel's strategic security challenges in the Middle East. Unlike any other Israeli politician, general or spy chief before him, Gantz offered a warning that if Israel didn't make progress on negotiating a peace deal with the Palestinians, it should not … [Read more...]