Epstein Secrets

n between our troubles with Syria and Iran is pretty straightforward. The Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad is Iran's closest ally, and its link to the Arab Middle East. Syria has provided the land bridge for the transport of Iranian weapons and militants to Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. Without Syria, Iran's pretens

kely see Israeli- Palestinian negotiations as a bottomless pit for diplomatic energy rather than as a priority. If Obama is reelected, he will have no Middle East hands to whom he can turn. Mideast advisor Dennis Ross has left; Jeffrey Feltman, assistant secretary of state for Near East affairs, departed for

ill in all likelihood leave when a new secretary of state is appointed or a few months later. In January 2009, Obama appointed Mitchell as special Middle East envoy on his second day in office. That kind of priority will not be assigned to the "peace process" in January 2013 -- no matter who wins. The ne

fter. But the ostensible purpose of a political campaign is to articulate for the public what a candidate will do if he prevails. "It's a tension," David Axelrod, Obama's longtime political adviser, said. "On the one hand, you don't want to be presumptuous in assuming a second term. But campaigns are about

yahu said. "It's an Iranian- backed terror organization committed to Israel's destruction." On Sunday he told his cabinet that for Israel, living in the Middle East required self-sufficiency and toughness. "In such a region," he said, "the only thing that ensures our existence, security and prosperity is our st

ti- Semitism. It has also combined its continuing alliance with the West with a growing tone of independence, making the former more respectable in Middle Eastern eyes. This has made the AKP a "model," or at least a source of inspiration, for more progressive Arab Islamist parties that have emerged victoriou

ians close the Strait of Hormuz, we will see oil above $200 a barrel. POTUS [after a pause]: Just a moment. [Whispers] How am I doing in Florida? David Axelrod [also whispering]: Your numbers suck. POTUS: OK, General, line up those bunker busters. The eruption of the entire Muslim world. All the crocodiles

nt Jimmy Carter and in every administration since (except George W. Bush's), Dennis Ross has played a bigger role in setting American policy toward the Middle East than perhaps any other official who didn't occupy the Oval Office. Most recently, Ross was special assistant to President Obama and the National Se

vention, in remarks prepared without participation from the Obama campaign. "Barack Obama is ready to be President of the United States," he said. David Axelrod describes the Presidents' relationship as improved. "Would I be truthful if I said to you that we went through a long and difficult campaign in 200