Is Netanyahu planning an October surprise?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Douglas Bloomfield - (Opinion) September 5, 2012 - 12:00am

As the Republicans and Democrats held their conventions and the presidential election moved into the home stretch, the rhetoric and pressure coming out of Israel for an attack on Iran intensified like the winds of Hurricane Isaac. It’s difficult to tell how much is aimed at keeping Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and how much at preventing Barack Obama’s reelection.

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US-Israeli Relations in Crisis? No!
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor
by Alon Pinkas - (Opinion) September 5, 2012 - 12:00am

First, there was "a crisis." Then, there was "the worst crisis in US-Israel relations ever." Now, a mere 36 hours later, the "crisis recedes."

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The Arabs are no longer the same Arabs
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Oudeh Basharat - (Opinion) September 4, 2012 - 12:00am

At the time of writing these lines, the sun continues to shine and even though the Muslim Brotherhood is in power in Egypt, the country has not been cloaked in darkness. It was not out of excessive love of secularism that Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi declared in Tehran that Egypt is a modern, constitutional democracy. Egypt has not adapted itself to the Brotherhood, it is the Brotherhood that has adapted itself to Egypt, which is known as "Umm al-Dunya," the mother of the world.

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It's the elections, stupid
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Herb Keinon - (Opinion) September 3, 2012 - 12:00am

Here is why all the talk about Iran has the mind reeling: Yediot Aharonot led its front page Monday with a story claiming the United States sent secret messages – through the Europeans – to the Iranians saying that it would not stand behind Israel if Jerusalem attacks.

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Egypt appoints new ambassador to Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Tia Goldenberg - September 2, 2012 - 12:00am

Egypt has appointed a new ambassador to Israel, choosing an experienced career diplomat, officials from both countries said, in what some took as sign of positive relations between Israel and Egypt under an Islamist president in Cairo. Atef Salem el-Ahl has been serving as Egypt's consul in the Israeli resort town of Eilat. He will replace Yasser Reda, whose four-year term ends this summer. Israel's Foreign Ministry and Egypt's state media confirmed the appointment Sunday.

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To Calm Israel, U.S. Offers Ways to Restrain Iran
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by David E. Sanger, Eric Schmitt - September 2, 2012 - 12:00am

Israel openly debating whether to strike at Iran’s nuclear facilities in the coming months, the Obama administration is moving ahead with a range of steps short of war that it hopes will forestall an Israeli attack, while forcing the Iranians to take more seriously negotiations that are all but stalemated.

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Egypt leader said to reach out to Sinai radicals
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Maggie Michael - August 29, 2012 - 12:00am

Egypt's Islamist president is using former jihadists to mediate with radical Islamists in Sinai, trying to ensure a halt in militant attacks in return for a stop in a military offensive in the lawless peninsula, participants in the talks say.

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Egypt's Morsi invited to visit Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
August 29, 2012 - 12:00am

In a rare departure from his oft- quoted hawkish declarations, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Tuesday extended an invitation to Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi to visit Israel. Speaking at a legal conference in Tel Aviv, Lieberman said, "We hope that whoever speaks about peace and about stability understands that there can be no hypothetical peace. "We hope that Morsi will meet with Israeli officials, that he will be interviewed by Israeli media and that he will visit Jerusalem as the guest of President (Shimon) Peres."

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Egyptian President Morsi reassures Israel that peace treaty is safe
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
August 28, 2012 - 12:00am

Egypt's new Islamist president said on Monday he would pursue a "balanced" foreign policy, reassuring Israel its peace treaty was safe, hinting at a new approach to Iran and calling on Bashar Assad's allies to help lever the Syrian leader out. Mohammed Morsi, who was elected in June and consolidated his power this month by dismissing top military leaders, is seeking to introduce himself to a wider world ahead of a trip to Iran - the first by an Egyptian leader in three decades - and China.

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Palestinian's UN recognition quest on hold
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Mohammed Daraghmeh - August 28, 2012 - 12:00am

The Palestinian foreign minister says the Palestinians are putting their quest for international recognition at the U.N. on hold for now. Foreign Minister Riad Malki says President Mahmoud Abbas has decided not to apply at the General Assembly session next month, although he will informally appeal for recognition in a speech. The decision stands in contrast to last year, when the Palestinians asked the Security Council to admit them as a full member state.

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