Author Archives: Bruce Wolman

About Bruce Wolman

Bruce Wolman is a citizen journalist who has lived in Norway and the Washington area.

This is the gang that is going to save the world economy?

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Bruce Wolman

Cameron says the quality of the European discussion of the economy is the best he’s heard in a year, but nothing tangible will result

Posted in US Politics | 9 Comments

Brilliant judges rule that administrative detention is copacetic

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Bruce Wolman

Argument that Jews are smarter smashes up against the pretzel logic employed by tyrannical judges

Posted in Israel/Palestine | 8 Comments

Fighting Jews– then and now

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Bruce Wolman

My dad and his brothers were desperate to get into uniform and fight the Nazis. If Iran is really threatening a second Holocaust, how come Jewish groups aren’t urging young Jews to join the military?

Posted in American Jewish Community, Iran, Israel Lobby, US Politics | 111 Comments

Sen. Cardin tells how he and Hillary Clinton muscled foreign ambassadors to block ‘anti-American’ Palestinian statehood

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Bruce Wolman

Ever heard of the American Jewish International Relations Institute? It’s part of a bipartisan Congressional Task Force concerned with how foreign governments vote in the UN on Israel/Palestine issues. The result? Before the the Task Force was established in 2006, the US exercised 41 vetoes at the Security Council on behalf of Israel, since it has only had to once.

Posted in American Jewish Community, Israel Lobby, Israel/Palestine, Israeli Government, US Politics | 59 Comments

Israel is sucking up all the oxygen in the White House

Posted on March 11, 2012 by Bruce Wolman

If Obama weren’t meeting Netanyahu 9 times, and having to fend off the Israel lobby at every turn, maybe he’d be doing more about the trade deficit with China?

Posted in American Jewish Community, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel Lobby, Israel/Palestine, Media, Turkey, US Policy in the Middle East, US Politics | 119 Comments

The antiwar movement must rise again. Now

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Bruce Wolman

Why hasn’t an anti-war candidate risen to primary Obama? Too late now. But not too late for the antiwar left to mobilize

Posted in Activism, Iran, Iraq | Tagged | 100 Comments

Obama missed the point about ‘endless delay’

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Bruce Wolman

In case you haven’t seen it, I find Pepe Escobar’s analysis of Obama’s Middle East speech in Asia Times the most clear-eyed, convincing and on the money: “What Obama could not possibly say.” I bring one quote to your attention:

Posted in Israel/Palestine | 6 Comments

Mamas, dont let your boychicks grow up to be pundits

Posted on November 26, 2010 by Bruce Wolman

You have to hand it to Hebrew School. What a training ground those late weekday sessions have shown to be. Salon produced its Hack Thirty List– “our all-star team–of the most predictable, dishonest and just plain stupid pundits in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel/Palestine | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Is this the showdown?

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Bruce Wolman

Someone has leaked to Haaretz "at least four steps the United States expects Netanyahu to carry out to restore confidence in bilateral relations and permit the resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians." The steps were on a list that … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel Lobby, Israel/Palestine, Israeli Government, US Policy in the Middle East, US Politics | 36 Comments

Is Hillary’s ‘deeply negative signal’ a deeply positive signal?

Posted on March 12, 2010 by Bruce Wolman

The Obama Administration finally realized its credibility was in tatters after the shenanigans of this week in Israel. With the President apparently sedated and the Vice President hoarse from crooning love songs to Israel, it was decided to have the … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel/Palestine, Israeli Government, US Policy in the Middle East, US Politics | 45 Comments

Bibi’s father says ‘enemies’ seeks ‘destruction of the Jewish people’

Posted on March 12, 2010 by Bruce Wolman

 Yossi Verter in today’s Ha’aretz relates some chilling words from the father of Prime Minster Netanyahu at a celebration for the the elder’s 100th birthday. One hopes that the Obama Administration knows what they are dealing with when it comes … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran, Israel/Palestine, Israeli Government | 10 Comments

Obama kids they are not

Posted on March 11, 2010 by Bruce Wolman

More about that poll we mentioned on the site earlier today: Ardent supporters of Israel never tire of telling us that Israel is the only "democracy" in the Middle East. If a poll released yesterday is any indication, Israeli high … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel/Palestine | 105 Comments

It’s time to rock, Joe Biden says– and breaks out the golden oldies

Posted on March 11, 2010 by Bruce Wolman

Vice President Joe Biden just finished his whirlwind Israeli road show with a speech at Tel Aviv University. President Obama’s Number Two laid bare the Administration’s upcoming theme songs for the Mideast. Biden started off with a short prelude, emphasizing … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel/Palestine, US Policy in the Middle East | 29 Comments

Oren, who won’t meet with J Street, says dialogue is essential

Posted on March 9, 2010 by Bruce Wolman

Chagrined Michael Oren says that he wants to go back to UC Irvine, despite being shouted down there a few weeks back. The diplomat said he understood the emotional nature of Middle East politics, but said it was also important … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel Lobby, Israel/Palestine | 10 Comments

J Street says Obama is serious (but Israeli Foreign Ministry shrugs)

Posted on March 9, 2010 by Bruce Wolman

J Street and the Israeli Foreign Ministry offer contrasting reactions to the just announced Israeli-Palestinian "proximity talks" – indirect talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians with the United States serving as the go-between. By summer we should know for … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel/Palestine, US Policy in the Middle East, US Politics | 42 Comments

As Biden touches down, Israel announces 112 new settlement units in stark violation of ‘freeze’

Posted on March 8, 2010 by Bruce Wolman

Before even landing in Israel, Vice President Biden gave an interview to the Israeli newspaper, Yedioth Ahroneth. It was very much on the threat from Iran and US-Israeli military cooperation, but amazingly brief on upcoming Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. According to … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel/Palestine, Settlers/Colonists | 47 Comments

In Israeli-Lebanese brinkmanship, the US is powerless

Posted on March 4, 2010 by Bruce Wolman

According to Roee Nahmias at Y-Net, "US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent a message to Beirut that Washington cannot prevent an Israeli strike in Lebanon as long as arms smuggling to Hezbollah continues." Echoing an article in the London-based … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran, Israel/Palestine, US Politics | 12 Comments

Haaretz: In Iranian-Israeli brinksmanship, Obama is powerless

Posted on March 3, 2010 by Bruce Wolman

Aluf Benn in this morning’s Ha’aretz describes an increasingly dangerous poker game being played out over Iran’s nuclear program. With war now being threatened, "the stakes are constantly rising with the expectations that one of the players will recognize his … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran, Israel/Palestine, US Politics | 38 Comments

Rahm: Just hanging on?

Posted on March 2, 2010 by Bruce Wolman

There was finally a shake up over at the White House this weekend. No, Rahm neither resigned nor was axed. Instead, Social Secretary Desiree Rogers became "the first high-level departure from Obama’s senior staff." WaPo spends more than enough ink … Continue reading →

Posted in American Jewish Community, Israel Lobby, Israel/Palestine | 18 Comments

Where’s BDS? Israeli firms to secure World Cup

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Bruce Wolman

For readers active in the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) Movement, here is an obvious target that has been overlooked. According to today’s Jerusalem Post, "Over 30 Israeli companies are set to help South Africa secure this summer’s Soccer World … Continue reading →

Posted in BDS, Israel/Palestine | 28 Comments

Rahm: gone, or invincible

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Bruce Wolman

I leaned towards this interpretation also: Rahm is on his way out, and uses stenographer Dana Milbank in the Washington Post to issue a parting shot at Obama’s insider team. Or else the lobby makes him feel invincible, which would … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel Lobby, US Politics | 121 Comments

Training presidents is hard work

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Bruce Wolman

"It’s not just Barack Obama," by an Israel lobbyist in the Jerusalem Post. Turns out even Eisenhower repents over his Suez pressure.

Posted in Israel Lobby | 4 Comments

‘US Jews are tired of Israel and have no interest in racist settlers’

Posted on February 22, 2010 by Bruce Wolman

Haaretz has a piece saying that Israel can’t afford to reject J Street. There were quite a few comments hostile to J Street, but I found this one interesting from an Israeli in the US: Title: Clueless Israelis Name: Shoded … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel Lobby, Israel/Palestine, US Politics | 25 Comments

Climbdown: Britain knew Mossad used fake passports for Dubai assassination

Posted on February 19, 2010 by Bruce Wolman

That’s the news from Haaretz. It’s all kabuki theater in the name of diplomatic cover. The matter will disappear from the headlines within days.

Posted in Israel/Palestine | 83 Comments

Steve (Nightflower) Rosen gives AIPAC seal to Obama

Posted on February 18, 2010 by Bruce Wolman

When Steve Rosen is comfortable writing a long posting at Foreign Policy in praise of Barack Obama’s Israeli and Mideast policies ("Is Barack Obama More AIPAC than J Street?" [Yes]) it’s time to admit that banking on this Administration is … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel Lobby, US Politics | 8 Comments