“We need to arm the Libyan people to finish this regime.” That was the assessment of Ali Aujali, a former Libyan Ambassador to the United States who has defected from the Gaddafi regime and now represents the country’s “Transitional National Council.” Appearing today at the Center for American Progress, Aujali pleaded for sustained …
Mideast
Is Libya All About Iran?
Cairo
Jeez, I certainly hope not. But David Sanger’s reporting today tells us that at least some in the White House saw it that way:
The mullahs in Tehran, noted Thomas E. Donilon, the national security adviser, were watching Mr. Obama’s every move in the Arab world. They would interpret a failure to back up his declaration that
…
Israeli and Egyptian Peace Meeting
Cairo
I’ve now heard from several sources that Israeli and Egyptian diplomats met for the first time since the revolution in Cairo last week–and the Israelis got an earful. “We’re not interested in a peace process,” the Egyptians told them. “We’re interested in a peace settlement.” This is understandable: the new Egyptian government …
What Kind of Crackdown Warrants Humanitarian Intervention?
President Obama argues that the Unites States was compelled to act in Libya because of Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s brutality against civilians in his own country. Speaking in El Salvador on Tuesday, Obama blasted Gaddafi as a brutal dictator who is “threatening his people.” The President said the Unites States acted, in part, to “make …
Morning Must Reads: Anger
–There’s some incredible stuff in this week’s newsstand edition of TIME. Bart Gellman has a truly chilling cover story on “twisted patriotism,” reporting on (among other things) two serious domestic terrorist threats that almost were: A man named James Cummings plotted a dirty bomb attack on D.C. and James Van Brunn, the Holocaust …
Morning Must Reads: Talk
Reuters
–Direct Israeli-Palestinian talks begin today at the State Department.
–Ethan Bronner writes Bibi has the power to deal.
–Ben Smith thinks the whole affair has a fly-by-the-seat-of-their pants feel to it and that yesterday’s pre-game posturing went well for the White House.
–Scherer dives deep into Obama’s …
Morning Must Reads: Oval
–President Obama will address the nation from the Oval Office tonight on the end of combat operations in Iraq. Crowley provides some good context of the challenges the speech presents. Marc Ambinder engages in some (informed) speculation on what he’ll say. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs makes it sound like it will be a pivot from Iraq …
Morning Must Reads: When It Rains, It Pours
Reuters/Jim Young
—Obama is going out on a limb by associating himself with the precarious direct Mideast peace talks, writes the L.A. Times.
–Bibi is reassuring fellow Likudniks that he’s made no promises on settlements.
–Martin Indyk knows hope.
–Coming soon to a Harry Reid attack ad near you: Sharron Angle opposed …
Morning Must Reads: At His Word
Reuters
–The White House thinks direct Israeli-Palestinian talks are a good way to undermine Hamas.
–Ethan Bronner sees skeptical observers and an air of resignation on both sides.
–Settlements remain a potential sticking point.
–Just back from Afghanistan, John Kerry sounds optimistic about chances for political …
Morning Must Reads: Obama Claims a Win
Reuters/Jim Young
–As Jay notes, Obama political arm Organizing for America is trying to take some credit for Bennet’s solid victory last night in Colorado. The message: Just because we couldn’t save Specter or clear the field for Lincoln and Bennet, the White House political operation is not ineffectual.
–Establishment …
Morning Must Reads: Workaround
Reuters/Molly Riley
–Obama plans to use a recess appointment to get Donald Berwick in at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, avoiding what was sure to be a nasty confirmation fight in the Senate. In its spin, the White House makes at least two good points: CMS has been without a permanent chief since 2006 and the Harvard …
Morning Must Reads: Bibi’s Back
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
–Obama is set to meet with Israeli PM Netanyahu today at the White House. Both countries’ press corps seem focused on the personal rift. The White House seems determined to reverse that impression. Bibi says getting to direct talks is the goal.
–Scott Brown flirts with an “aye” on …
Morning Must Reads: Tryin’ to Find Some Sun
Oil:
-Top Kill is dead and the Administration’s now thinking about sicking the lawyers on BP. BP shares are down 15% in London trading. This morning President Obama meets with BP Oil Spill Commission Co-Chairs, former Florida senator Bob Graham and former EPA administrator William K. Reilly.
-Other oil spill news: MMS …