Epstein Secrets

ance on the peace process. On January 29th, Israel became the first country to boycott a United Nations review of its human rights practices, despite the United States' and other political players' advice to participate. This is a breach of an established practice of cooperation and thus represents precedence for non

war and the general volatility permeating the region. Despite the lack of progress of an international peace initiative spearheaded by Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, a new plan by Syrian opposition leader Moaz al-Khatib - comprising a dialogue with President al-Assad based on the principle of the regime's departu

e capital," notes the opposition memorandum. That's because many Syrians, even those who oppose the regime, fear a political vacuum. The plan urges the United States to encourage "defection of full units within the Assad army" that can be integrated with the opposition. As the clock ticks toward a possible U.S.

in and over Syria. On the face of things, there are few grounds for optimism. Absurdly, Syria is not even formally on the agenda in St Petersburg. Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN and Arab League envoy for Syria, is apparently not even due to attend the meeting. Add to EFTA00678425 that Russia's generally obstructio

process at Geneva, to seek a political transition in Syria. I'll give you an example: On Nov. 21, representatives of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and the United States met with Baroness Valerie Amos, the U.N. undersecretary for EFTA00706407 humanitarian affairs, to discuss possible relief efforts. So I've wondere

re workable. We have discussed this with various friends; we've discussed this with Turkey, we've discussed this with [U.N. Special Representative] Lakhdar Brahimi, we've discussed this with the Syrian government. Have you talked with the United States about this? We have not had any discussions with the U.S.

with his family in 1956[vand spent most of his life i= the United States and the United Kingdom.[ Chalabi was a controversial figure, especially in the Unite= States, for many reasons. In the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Ir=q, the Iraqi National Congress (INC), with the assistance of lobbying powerhouse BKSH &

e claim that leaders around the world were illegal=y profiting from the Oil for Food program. These charges were around=the same time that UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi indicated that Chalabi would l=kely not be welcome in a future Iraqi government. Up until this time= Chalabi had been mentioned a number of times by

regime's approach to those talks. President Bashar al-Assad's statements in recent days indicate that he and his backers are attempting to pressure the United States and the rest of the "London 11" countries supporting the opposition at the conference -- Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Qa

tlement. Whatever the case, the attempt to include Iran in the talks should come as no surprise -- for months, UN Special Representative for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi has privately and publicly lobbied Western and Arab countries to allow Iran into the Geneva process. While Secretary of State John Kerry has said t

elineated positions. There is no tolerable end to Iran's nuclear imbroglio other than a negotiated settlement. Given the disparity of power between the United States and Iran, Washington has an opportunity to craft a durable accord for arms control while preserving its coercive leverage. Such are the advantages

st be giggling. Options that "may not exist" has the sound of Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion in the "Wizard of Oz": "Put 'em up. Put ' em up." For Lakhdar Brahimi, the United Nations mediator for Syria, this may come too late. He has failed to end the civil war if only because Assad won't. (Assad even seized

m to do so. Experience seems to show that most of them would eventually counter an Iranian bomb by moving even further into the security embrace of the United States — an outcome profoundly at odds with Iran's interests. The idea of a rapid and inevitable proliferation cascade across the Middle East is simply no

ome a fig leaf to hide inaction. Over the past two years, numerous diplomatic efforts have been made, including two missions led by Kofi Annan and Lakhdar Brahimi, two diplomats of the highest standing. Thanks to inside knowledge, we can report that Brahimi has offered the fairest and the most realistic comp