Sydney Morning Herald gets the Chas Freeman story in this great editorial:
National Intelligence Council, Chas Freeman, has just withdrawn, citing
a campaign against him by the "Israel lobby"…
Mr Freeman is
a widely respected former diplomat with expertise on both East Asia and
the Middle East, from postings in China and Saudi Arabia. Unlike the
previous failed Obama appointments, the problems with Mr Freeman
clearly stem from his outspoken, independent views rather than tax
arrears, suspected abuse of office or conflicts of interest. His
withdrawal augurs badly for Mr Obama's administration as it shapes up
to dealing with a new Israeli government under Benjamin Netanyahu.
As
Mr Freeman has bitterly pointed out, many of Israel's overseas
supporters identify Israel with one faction of its politics, meaning Mr
Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party. That hardly speaks to Israel's
great strengths. It will only make many think twice about the shrill
messages about Iran's nuclear threat…
Antony Loewenstein writes: imagine this editorial in a mainstream american newspaper?
