Epstein Secrets

ship may well find itself quietly experiencing an improbable nostalgia for its intractable — yet entirely predictable and effectively tame — foe in Damascus. Ankle 3. Foreign Policy Jim Baker: Realists have been EFTA_R1_00537938 EFTA02029057 successful stewards of foreign policy Josh R0611 August

nt defiance of the West. It was also courting Iran in a similar fashion at the time. At that time, Turkey and Brazil — as non-permanent members of the Security Council — even produced a "fuel swap" formula that was designed to reduce international pressure on Tehran due to its nuclear program. Turkey also voted ag

a continue to score more offensives against the regime, the government has retaliated with more force, most recently by launching Scud missiles from Damascus into northern Syria on December 12th, according to press reports. On December 17th the long-time Syrian Vice President told the press that neither s

nd development. Africa Mali: As expected, in a December 5th meeting the UN Secretary-General recommended an international military intervention to the Security Council as a last resort to assist the Malian armed forces to recover the occupied territories in the north. The Secretary-General strongly preferred nation

ian point of view, this is a crisis. From a national-interest point of view, it is an opportunity to undermine enemies of the United States in both Damascus and Tehran. But President Obama has treated the bloody turmoil, first and foremost, as an opportunity to strengthen the idea that America should su

s regime may cooperate in the effort. The accord's vacuity is a sign of the support Assad enjoys from Russia and China, each of which has a veto on the Security Council. Obama administration officials complain about that support, but Russian President Vladimir Putin shrugs them off. Why is Russia able to shield As

eeks has had little impact on the continuing violence in Syria. UN-Arab League Special Envoy Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on July 9. The focus is now on promoting dialogue between the regime and opposition groups. Russia's ongoing support of the Assad regime has been a

the cabinet is a pivotal factor that could help insulate Algeria from an Arab uprising. Negotiations between Iran and the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany concerning Iran's nuclear program will continue in Istanbul on July 24, although at the technical level. On June 20, Kuwait's constitut

replaces the old idea of dynasty. The regime of the Al-Assads does not believe in freedom of information. An American journalist friend of mine, in Damascus during the regime of the father, Hafez, witnessed a failed attempt to assassinate that president, and he accordingly filed a report to his wire ser

nder of his shaky political house on seeking U.N. recognition for a Palestinian state in September. The gambit is unlikely to pass U.S. approval in the Security Council; even if successful, it proffers doubtful leverage in his tug of war with Tel Aviv. Although Syria is an independent state, in 44 years it hasn't

Syria. undermine Lebanese sovereignty and challenge the country's ability to manage its land borders. Since these two militias are headquartered in Damascus we expect the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic to act constructively in this process. Mr. President. '11w profound political and humanitaria

Briefing to the Security Council on the Fifteenth Semi•Annual Report of the Secretory•General to the Security Council o• the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559 (2

o why has the Syrian regime recognized the Palestinian state now? A senior source said: The reasons are clear; this is a Syrian-Israeli courtship. Damascus's recognition of the Palestinian state today means it has officially acknowledged the 1967 borders, thus acknowledging that Israel has the right to

are determined to go through with the drive for recognition, but it could take less aggressive forms: petitioning the General Assembly, rather than the Security Council, for nonmember status, thus sidestepping an American veto. The Palestinians could even propose a resolution that echoes Mr. Obama's formula for ta