"For Ross, diplomacy is not just about realized goals, but about what you prevent, what you limit, what you contain, what you diffuse. Successful diplomacy will take more than Obama-doctrine outreach. It will require a new form of American power to work, in avoiding the worst even if it cannot attain the dream."

www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/magazine/02Ir...1&ref=middleeast

Roger Cohen's account of developing US policy on Iran provides much insight on the inner workings of President Obama's Middle East foreign policy team. Too bad Cohen wasn't able to get the interview with Dennis Ross that he wished, but his account of Ross's work on supporting the President's objectives makes for fascinating reading.

This article is useful on another level. Robster and his tribe of anti-Zionists have targeted Ross with a steady stream of racist invective - e.g. "Zionist dog" and "house n****r" on this forum. Those of us familiar with Ross's achievements, and his writings aimed at advancing effective American diplomacy, resent Ross being referred to as a "traitor," as I'm sure does Obama.

But this that can be placed in context of Robster's expressed views on this forum. He's been a vocal defender of traitorous CAIR operatives, and a purveyor of much trash about the state of Israeli affairs in today's world. But that's just Robster being Robster - harmless prattle.

It's not difficult to identify the reasons for 'ster's angst over the evolving world situation. He sees his hopes and dreams failing, one-by-one. His belief that Obama's presidency would be an imperialistic one has been deep-sixed. His long-trumpeted dream of America abandoning Israel in favor of ME Muslim entities is down the tubes. And his prayers that Iran would become the key US ally in ME affairs have gone unanswered. Cohen:

"One thing is clear; Iran is in no position to talk right now. It has no functioning national-security apparatus as its leaders scramble to shore up the regime . . . With oil down and opposition up, Iran's regional ascendancy is stalled or already in reverse."

Robster has done an excellent job of selecting and posting updates on the situation in Iran. He would make a good reporter. Unfortunately for his sake, as a commentator he's an abject failure. And maybe his most telling failure is to recognize the major influence Dennis Ross will have on US foreign policy. Or, maybe he recognizes it, but his envy and fear of Ross drive him into the periphrastic fits he puts on display here.

You know you got the Camera-guy by the balls when It stoops to the lowly degradation of the ad-hominem argument. If Camera-guy can't debate the issue than misuse the argument to demonize the man.

As for Cohen's article its a puff piece heavy on praise and adoration, but totally devoid of anything substantive regarding Dennis Ross's tenure in the Obama administration to date. Even during the latest visit of team Obama's heavyweights to the Middle East, Mitchell, Gates and Jones, Dennis Ross was not reported a major or key player in the overseas affair of any note. In fact, he was under the tutelage and control of NSC adviser James Jones, a minor and lackluster minion in an entourage that included accomplished luminaries like Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns, NSC Middle East staffer Dan Shapiro and Ambassador Richard Cunningham. No matter how its googled or researched, Ross never lead or engaged in any meeting without Jones or one of the above running the show or supervising the clown.

Besides a vacuous NSC title, all Ross's claim to fame amounts to is a failed peace initiative under Bill Clinton and a book he co-wrote with neocon/WINEP associate David Makovsky. Despite all the lame kudos like Cohen's & others for this book, I strongly advise everyone saving their money if they haven't already wasted it. The so called "critical rethinking" advocated in the book isn't anything new that can't be more profitably mined from Thucydides's 'Peloponnesean Wars' or Machiavelli's 'Prince.' Even its ballyhooed principal contribution of dialog with Iran had ages ago been articulated by Jimmy Carter, and than by 'realists' in late 2003 when it became crystal clear the Iraqi invasion was a massive strategic failure of enormous benefit to Iran. Ross and Makovsky are late comers and are merely fronting an approach they fervently desire and intend never to succeed, thereby becoming the cause célèbre and rationale justifying an attack against Iran by the US and/or Israel. Even before his appointment to State Ross endorsed ""a report that called for Obama to “begin augmenting the military lever right away”" And as for a "new form of American power" Ross is no cold-war equivalent of George F. Kennan. And his book is no "diplomatic cable" for a new architecture in US foreign policy and diplomacy in the uncertain landscapes of a multipolar world order.


Cohen, to avoid looking the total suck-up artist had to include in his article much of the negative and unflattering facts that has and continues to bedevil Ross's tenure in Obama's administration. How Hillary was "displeased" with being saddled with Ross at State. Per Martin Indyk "she wanted a fresh Mideast team" leaving Ross "not a happy camper." Cohen also admits the friction Ross's appointment caused with envoys Mitchell, Burns, Holbrooke and other personnel at State as a "fiasco" laden with "uncomfortable....situations." A fact acknowledged by many in the media. And though Cohen remarks about the unsatisfactory results Obama derived from his recent trip to Saudi Arabia in June, he makes an unsubstantiated claim that Ross was moved to the NSC for "more heft and Middle East experience, of the Ross variety," Anonymous officials on the other hand have said the blame fell squarely on Ross's shoulders since that was his desk and area of responsibility, and since he couldn't be fired for political reasons Ross was transferred to the NSC. Cohen even includes how this FUBAR artist blew it. Its too good not to quote:

On April 29, in Dammam, in Saudi Arabia’s eastern province, Ross sat down with King Abdullah. He talked to a skeptical monarch about the Obama administration’s engagement policy with Iran — and talked and talked and talked. When the king finally got to speak, according to one U.S. official fully briefed on the exchange, he began by telling Ross: “I am a man of action. Unlike you, I prefer not to talk a lot.” Then he posed several pointed questions about U.S. policy toward Iran: What is your goal? What will you do if this does not work? What will you do if the Chinese and the Russians are not with you? How will you deal with Iran’s nuclear program if there is not a united response? Ross, a little flustered, tried to explain that policy was still being fleshed out.

And we're supposed to be guided by this sorry excuse for a klutz??? Camera-guy can listen in starry-eyed wonderment and rapt attention to a goof who can't even piss straight without getting his own shoes wet!!! My foreign policy choices are Carter, Baker, Brzezinski and Scowcroft, proven, tested and widely respected national leaders among the power elite in the US 'establishment.' A status Ross will never rise to even if he had a thousand lifetimes to attempt it. Cohen knows he has to nail all the bases when a journalist goes out on the limb and he hit the bulls eye when he says: "Obama owed Ross one...in bringing around the American Jewish community" during the election. That about sizes up the limits of Ross's usefulness. The only other possibility is if Ross evolves from a "witless block-punt" to a "willing block-punt." I have said before I wouldn't rule out such a transformation.

Its also not news that Ross is a Zionist and Israeli firster. And its also widely reported that it was Ross who stiffed Bubba out of his 'Nobel peace prize,' and than spent the next 8 years making a cottage industry blaming Arafat for it. If Camera-guy resents my characterizations of his god as nothing more than a "token" and useful "house ******" in the grand scheme of things, well...too bad - too sad. But what really burns Camera-guys ass is my loudly professed anti-Zionism and condemnation of these Zionists as no better than tafkir-jihadi. A blight upon humanity on a par, if not worse than al-Qaeda and other international thugs and hoodlums. Like a thermobaric bomb I toast Camera-guys sweet-cakes to no end when I dare label Israelis war criminals. And 'It' chokes half to death in apoplectic rage when I undermine Zionist propaganda and reclassify Palestinians insurgents fighting an unjust and illegal occupation. I have not only referenced Zionists and Israeli firsters as "Zionist dogs," but if US citizens "traitors," "insane asylum escapees" and "barking dogs". I admit and claim all these statements and proudly wear such on my sleeves like red badges of courage. If I have missed other similar comments please pray tell, so I can re-affirm & re-claim anew with a forthright and joyous heart.

And as far as Iran goes it was the first topic I posted on this forum nearly 4 years ago in mid 2005. From day one I castigated the silly fiction of the US attacking Iran when it was presumed a dead-on certainty by Spenglerites, lusting for the fulfillment of Spengler's monthly 'surprises.' None of which came true along with a ton of other poppy-cock the wannabe wizard spouted day in and day out. I represented an opinion of 'numero uno' not widely shared or supported, to be sure, when neocon acolytes and Israeli firsters were still strutting high on the Koolaide and tin foil hats of their dreams of imperial conquest. But what gained the greatest derision was my premise the US would have to deal with Iranians and Arabs diplomatically and ultimately normalizing relations with the members of the 'axis of evil.' So far, that premise has come a long way playing out with a presidential administration and foreign policies none of the naysayers could then anticipate or imagine, not without histrionic theatrics in wild assed denial and opposition. Its of course a work still in progress, but I'm aware a lot more people share my views than they had previously, even though some may still hedge such bets with caution. And for the record, at that precise moment back in mid 2005 Ross was in the bowels of WINEP cranking out an avalanche of working papers on why the US must bomb Iran and save Israel from Arab, Persian and Palestinian 'evil doers,' and all Muslims in general.

On the question of the I/P issue I have always supported the two state solution. I recognize there is another path, the one state option. That scenario will doom Israel and only wind up extinguishing a Jewish home in Palestine. Zionists idiotically think they can create the fantasy of the kingdom of David, retaining the W/B as components of a greater Israel, when in fact they are running unwisely into a trap and their ruin. They can misuse language, bastardize history, manufacture archeology and engineer false definitions to their hearts content, but they will never conquer a people whose will to resist and sacrifice is infinitely superior to their own will to see it through. Lebanon and Gaza conclusively prove beyond all doubt the Israelis haven't got what it takes to finish the job. The Palestinians will never give up and their getting smarter everyday. After some 60 years of failing across the board in pacifying these people you would think the obvious fact would sink into the densest matter in the universe, that black hole between Zionist/Israeli ears. Apparently not and why the notion has arisen among American and western policy makers that if a 2-state solution is to be accomplished, it must be hammered down Israelis throats for their own good. I also reject the silly notion that all Jews or all Israelis are Zionists. The vast majority of Jews are human beings, not maniac Zionists that belong in padded rooms or some unsavory types in cages. I'm a refusenik who will not be suckered into believing Zionist propaganda, a posture and unwelcome habit of illuminating Zionists that rattles Camera-guy senseless.

As for all other accusations not catholic to the topic I have previously argued and set the record straight and am not about to waste my time endlessly repeating clarifications. If anyone other than Camera-guy desires further enlightenment than ask and I'll explain. I must say one stark fact stands out above all else. Camera-guy relentlessly exercises and obsesses over what 'It' characterizes as my "harmless prattle." For something so "harmless" its nothing short of amazing the amount of time Camera-guy spends agonizing over it. But that question does have an answer. For some time now I have ignored Camera-guys adolescent provocations, and Camera-guy hates nothing more in creation than my turning a deaf ear to 'Its' imbecilities and illogical utterances.

Its a beautiful thing and I love it.

Entertaining, isn't it, sport fans. The 'ster pours out his heart over the slights he perceives have been dealt him regarding the failure of most of his prognostications and his lack of perception on ME matters. And, most of all, he feels obliged to toss out more racist attacks on Dennis Ross. Envy and fear are terrible things. Ross's "vacuous" title (Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for the Central Region) may be contrasted to Robster's grandiose title (Discredited Imperialist and Abject Apologist for CAIR Traitors).

If 'ster was given a shekel for every word he has caused to be posted here on Ross, he would have enough to make bail for all CAIR traitors currently being prosecuted - though I've lost track - maybe they have all already been imprisoned for their traitorous activities.

Jim, others might think its a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Its good that you two found each other,

Touche Michael. That deserves a star for its brevity and hitting the mark.

PM Netanyahu, as a tough-minded patriotic Israeli, is a formidable person with whom to seek common ground. He plays from strength, and is unwilling to give up anything without guarantees that benefit Israelis. That is common knowledge among Arab and Western governments.

So how to deal with a Bibi-led Israeli government?

blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archiv...03/ross-on-bibi.aspx

The answer may be being developed in the "conversations [that] have been taking place in the Obama White House in the past several weeks." And those conversations are likely framed on the concepts of a "new form of American power" (see the Roger Cohen article).

Because, in the end, the US will protect Israeli interests, as those interests are also America's interests.

Chock full of unanswered questions:

forward.com/articles/111452/

Did Cohen overstate "Iranian civility toward Jews?"

Was Cohen a "dupe of Tehran?"

Was his belief in the "pragmatism of the mullahs" misguided?

Why did he want to "get tougher on Israel?"

Is Dennis Ross encumbered by his "well-known ties with the American Jewish community?

Unanswered questions? What a crock! Just because the editorial director of the 'Forward' and other Zionists criticize Roger Cohen's journalism, 'Camera' guy has a sudden epiphany in self correction and chokes out senseless questions that have been answered on multiple occasions. 'Its' problem is that 'Its' not listening, regardless of the messenger.

It's good to see Robster rising in defense of Roger Cohen, after attacking that writer for his views on Dennis Ross. But we know 'ster is a commentator of whatever is convenient - all too eager to switch his views as, one-by-one, his predicted constructs fall by the wayside.

Sorry that 'ster disapproves of the Zionist source of the Cohen critique. He showed no such compunction in using another "Forward" article as the theme of one of his topics in the ME forum several weeks ago. But, "whatever is convenient."

Too bad 'ster was unable to answer any of the questions Goldberg's article posed. Perhaps he could reread some of Cohen's articles, though I doubt that would bring enlightenment.

Bullshit