Epstein Secrets

doff between Moscow and the West was in the Middle East— specifically in Syria, where President Bashar al-Assad, with support from Russian President Vladimir Putin, is embroiled in a brutal four-year civil war. But while Washington's policymakers are focusing on Putin's actions in Eastern Europe, events in th

h support from Russian President Vladimir Putin, is embroiled in a brutal four-year civil war. But while Washington's policymakers are focusing on Putin's actions in Eastern Europe, events in the eastern Mediterranean continue to unfold with their own momentum—and it's highly unlikely that the Kreml

ar al-Assad, with support from Russian President Vladimir Putin, is embroiled in a brutal four-year civil

strong ally of Iran," he added. "Putting Palestine at the head of the list of priorities can help in bridging the gaps. That's why today Hamas and Islamic Jihad are playing an important role in political reconciliation within the bloc — today in Tehran and tomorrow maybe in Damascus." Getting back to Shalah

ion government. He will also meet with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia just days after the Obama adm

election in Greece, which gave the pro- bailout party a slim victory and the right to form a coalition government. He will also meet with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia just days after the Obama administration accused Moscow of supplying arms to Syria in its bloody crackdown on the uprising there. Just a

after the Obama administration accused Moscow of supplying arms to Syria in its bloody crackdown on the uprising there. Just as Mr. Obama and Mr. Putin meet for the first time as presidents, their underlings will sit down in Moscow for the latest round of talks with Iran that are intended to curb T

s, dealing a blow to Meshaal's image as the group's international liaison and controller of the purse strings. At the same time, Iran is supporting Islamic Jihad, a Hamas rival in Gaza. Unlike Hamas, Islamic Jihad continues to fire rockets into southern Israel and clash with Israeli soldiers along the Gaza b

olution to their political problem in Gaza? There is no way out of this militarily. Israel is not Russia, Gaza is not Chechnya and Netanyahu isn't Putin. Even if Israel were morally capable of acting like Russia, the world would not allow it. So: Is the goal to empower Hamas? Some right-wingers in

down completely, capitulation, would look weak to many of its supporters, perhaps opening a door for other militant groups in the Gaza Strip, like Islamic Jihad, to accrue more power for themselves. For Israel, the costs in life to its own side are lighter than for its much weaker foe, but still serious e