Epstein Secrets

ssible Iranian nastiness is comprehensive, ranging from strong-arming Persian Gulf states to expanding a strategic relationship with Hugo Chavez's Venezuela. But nowhere is there an explanation of how Iran's calculations —or anyone else's— would change with the introduction of a nuclear weapon. The most

having helped foment an image of Israeli obstinacy, the Obama administration was now using this image of isolation against Israel's government. Mr. Panetta's criticism was promptly endorsed by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a harsh critic of Israel, who said Mr. Panetta was "correct in hi

rsaries must view this deterrence capability in recent months: October 2011: Speaking to reporters traveling with him to Israel, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta raised provocative questions about Israel. "Is it enough to maintain a military edge if you're isolating yourself in the diplomatic arena?" This c

and occupation could hope to accomplish that, and not even the most fervent anti-Iranian hawks are talking about that kind of enormous undertaking. Panetta's estimate that an aerial assault would set back the Iranian nuclear program by only one or two years is in line with many other assessments. Meanw

. because all too often the United States starts by dictating" An admirable sentiment. It applies to everyone — Iran, Russia. Cuba, Syria, even Venezuela. Except Israel. Israel is ordered to freeze all settlement activity. As Secre- tary of State Hillary Clinton imperiously explained the diktat: "a

ministrat ion's approach :0 ttsrrorism almost sug- gesti: "he's wishing that this boentry would be at- tackle again, in order to make his point." Panetta told The New Yorker for an article in its June 22 issue that Cheney "smons some blood in the water' on the issue of na- tionaisecurity. Cheney h

ly because the major oil players were not prepared to pretend that there was agreement on output quotas. With Iran chairing the meeting, an annoyed Venezuela in attendance and an embattled Libya looking on, it was much harder to get the group to put aside their differences and smile for the cameras. The

spring, when Obama announced a $400 billion reduction in defense spending, Gates got just 24 hours' notice. Gates, who'll be succeeded by CIA chief Leon Panetta, wins bipartisan accolades for restoring morale at the Pentagon and, more important, repairing relations with Congress, which had grown distrustfu

sident in Bedminster continuing to threaten North Korea— and also, inexplicably to almost everyone on his staff, threatening military intervention in Venezuela—Spencer called for an evening protest. At 8:45 p.m.—with the president in for the night in Bedminster—about 250 young men dressed in khaki pants and

anization for Economic Co-Operation and Development, 271 Oscar insurance company, 72 Osnos, Evan, 154 Page, Carter, 101 Palestinians, 227, 230-32 Panetta, Leon, 27 Paris Climate Accord, 182, 238-39, 301 HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_020132 PayPal, 21 Pelosi, Nancy, 78 Pefia Nieto, Enrique, 77-78, 228 Pence, Ka

only because the major oil players were not prepared to pretend that there was agreement on output quotas. With Iran chairing the meeting, an annoyed Venezuela in attendance and an embattled Libya looking on, it was much harder to get the group to put aside their differences and smile for the cameras. The Sa

s spring, when Obama announced a $400 billion reduction in defense spending, Gates got just 24 hours' notice. Gates, who'll be succeeded by CIA chief Leon Panetta, wins bipartisan accolades for restoring morale at the Pentagon and, more important, repairing relations with Congress, which had grown distrustful o