On Iran, patience and power
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
(Editorial) March 7, 2012 - 1:00am

It's not clear that Israel is convinced, but President Obama deserves credit for his forceful argument that the Jewish state shouldn't precipitously attack Iran's nuclear program. He has also effectively rebuked American politicians, including his Republican rivals, for "beating the drums of war." At the same time, Obama has committed the United States to a "military effort" to block a nuclear weapon — a newly muscular formulation of his long-standing commitment to take no option off the table.

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Netanyahu returns empty-handed from Washington
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
(Editorial) March 7, 2012 - 1:00am

The Israeli and U.S. governments agree that Iran's striving for nuclear weapons is dangerous for Israel, the region and the world. Everyone understands what a nuclear bomb might do in the hands of an extremist Muslim regime aspiring to regional hegemony.

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If Obama wins in November, is Netanyahu in trouble?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Bradley Burston - (Opinion) March 7, 2012 - 1:00am

There is something in the air. Something new. Something as recent as this week's AIPAC conference. And for Benjamin Netanyahu, it's not something to be desired. American conservatives have begun to think out loud that Barack Obama will win in November. Citing the GOP's disastrous showing in the 1964 presidential election, influential Washington Post columnist George Will suggested this week in a tone of some resignation ("the Presidency is not everything") that conservatives might better use their energies by concentrating instead on Congressional and Senate races.

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Inside Out: Obama’s commitment to Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Jonathan Rosen - (Opinion) March 7, 2012 - 1:00am

US President Barack Obama took the opportunity of his speech at the AIPAC policy conference on Sunday to reiterate his administration’s unequivocal commitment to Israel’s security and right to self-defense. He said, “My administration’s commitment to Israel’s security has been unprecedented. Our military and intelligence cooperation has never been closer. Our joint exercises and training have never been more robust... Israel must always have the ability to defend itself, by itself, against any threat.”

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On Iran, Questions of Detection and Response Divide U.S. and Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by David E. Sanger - (Analysis) March 6, 2012 - 1:00am

WASHINGTON — When President Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel met in the White House on Monday, the main subject was how to calibrate the resumption of negotiations with Iran while continuing to accelerate sanctions and sabotage against its nuclear program. But they remained divided on two central questions: If Iran decided to race for a nuclear weapon, would the West detect that in time to stop it? And even if it were detected, would an airstrike be the best option?

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Israel’s Best Friend
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Thomas L. Friedman - (Opinion) March 6, 2012 - 1:00am

The only question I have when it comes to President Obama and Israel is whether he is the most pro-Israel president in history or just one of the most. Why? Because the question of whether Israel has the need and the right to pre-emptively attack Iran as it develops a nuclear potential is one of the most hotly contested issues on the world stage today. It is also an issue fraught with danger for Israel and American Jews, neither of whom want to be accused of dragging America into a war, especially one that could weaken an already frail world economy.

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The Israeli Blackmailing of the Iranian Nuclear Program
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat
by Elias Harfoush - (Opinion) March 6, 2012 - 1:00am

Israel succeeded in turning the Iranian nuclear program into a top priority for the American presidential candidates. The annual conference of the largest Jewish forum in America, the AIPAC committee, turned into a competition platform for who will shed the highest amount of tears over the future of the Hebrew state in case Iran succeeded in producing its so-called nuclear weapons.

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Pro-Israel Delegates Have Washington’s Ear on Iran
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Jodi Rudoren - March 6, 2012 - 1:00am

WASHINGTON — Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee was surrounded by a gaggle of constituents on Tuesday like a quarterback in a huddle, finishing a discourse on his commitment to stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, center, met on Tuesday with Senators Harry Reid, left, and Mitch McConnell. Iran's nuclear program continues to dominate discussions.

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Chief Palestinian negotiator says Mideast does not need more wars
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
by Maher Abukhater - March 6, 2012 - 1:00am

REPORTING FROM RAMALLAH, WEST BANK –- The Middle East needs "winds of peace" instead of "drums of war," the chief Palestinian negotiator said Tuesday. Saeb Erekat was commenting on the meeting a day earlier between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and their speeches before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Erekat did not seem worried that the Palestinian issue was overshadowed in the meeting by the conflict over Iran's nuclear program. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict remains the most destabilizing factor in the Middle East, he said.

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Israeli state officials disappointed with Obama meeting
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Attila Somfalvi - March 6, 2012 - 1:00am

Israeli state officials were disappointed Tuesday with the results of the Netanyahu-Obama meeting at the White House on Monday. "There were no surprises," a senior state official said. "It was clear from recent months that there are differences between ourselves and the Americans. We have different perspectives when it comes to the question of time and red lines." It was claimed that the Americans view the Iranian issue in the context of the upcoming presidential elections. "It's a bad message for the issue and a good message for the Iranians," a state official said.

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