Comments on: Tehran spring also comes to Washington

By: Ira

Ira — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:27:26 +0000

Here are some quotes from the Time article LeaNder22 mentioned which indicate that Ross could be, indeed, moving up. Also, that he may have also be given a role in Arab-Israeli affairs. At the NSC, Ross will have a freer hand in some regards. Though there are already senior advisers for Arab-Israeli affairs and for Iran and the Gulf, he will be closer to Obama, who relied on him for advice on the region during the 2008 presidential campaign. At State, Ross had to navigate a crowded field of players, including Richard Holbrooke, the special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan; Bill Burns, who leads the stalled negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program; and George Mitchell, the Administration's envoy for Arab-Israeli affairs. "Ross is likely to have a greater role advising the President on the Arab-Israeli peace process. He was Bill Clinton's top envoy for Middle Eastern peace and knows the region and its players well." From Time website " target="_blank">http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,... The original Ravid article in Ha'aretz has also been updated. These quotes indicates that Time may be correct and that Ross may be assuming responsibilities for Israel-Palestine. Another possible reason for the reshuffle could be Ross' dissatisfaction with his present standing in the State Department, particularly given the fact that Washington's two other envoys to the region - George Mitchell, who is overseeing the Mideast peace process; and Richard Holbrooke, who is dealing with Pakistan and Afghanistan - wield great influence and are featured prominently. A diplomatic source in Jerusalem speculated that perhaps Ross preferred to work for the National Security Agency, which answers directly to President Barack Obama, and would thus be considered a more enhanced role. " target="_blank">http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1093058.html

By: Shirin

Shirin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:22:19 +0000

Yeah, he is so smart he appointed Dennis Ross to be his Iran advisor – way to send a great message to Iran and the rest of the Middle East while simultaneously insuring you will never get anything but really incompetent, and dangerous advice about Iran.

By: Shirin

Shirin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:18:24 +0000

Except it is not really riddance given what they say his new job will be.

By: Shirin

Shirin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:17:40 +0000

Yes, I find this very difficult to get excited about. I mean, OK, good to get him as far away from Iran as possible, but he should be kept even farther out of anything to do with Israel.

By: Shirin

Shirin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:16:26 +0000

"In his new post, the former Mideast peace envoy under President Bill Clinton will deal primarily with regional issues related to the peace process. " Somehow this does not look like an improvement given his performance as Israel's lawyer in the "negotiations" during the Clinton regime.

By: Shirin

Shirin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:13:36 +0000

I don't think the rules forbid calling someone like Makovsky a gasbag.

By: Shirin

Shirin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:12:33 +0000

Betray America? Come on! Any president who appoints him to anything relating to foreign policy knows exactly what he is getting. Either that or he is even more clueless than W.

By: LeaNder22

LeaNder22 — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:50:12 +0000

Marsha B. Cohen on LobeLog " target="_blank">http://www.ips.org/blog/jimlobe Ross: Not out but up: Another Update: Time Magazine is now reporting that Ross is not going out but up, and that he will have more control over Iran policy: Dennis Ross, the Obama Administration’s special adviser on Iran, will be leaving his post at the State Department to become a senior adviser at the National Security Council (NSC) with an expanded portfolio, Administration officials told TIME. " target="_blank">http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,...

By: Ira

Ira — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:06:08 +0000

@ Citizen It would sure be strange for Obama to move Ross into the I/P area. Here is a partial transcript of the Kelly non-denial, of Ross' rumored move.

By: Colin_Murray

Colin_Murray — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:47:52 +0000

Thanks for the link. I love the line

Ross does not have any experience as [a] spy - at least not for the United States.