Benny Avni - Articles - RealClearPolitics

Amid Talks, Mideast Nightmare Looms

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0500

In pushing for a deal to stop Iran from getting nukes, Washington hopes to reform Iran so it will “take its rightful place in the community of nations.”

Instead, an emboldened Tehran is fomenting violence — and the Mideast is headed for a major explosion.

Losing Egypt--Putin Exploits Obama's Slaps at Ally

Wed, 11 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0600

Vladimir Putin’s visit to Egypt this week just pulled Cairo deeper into Moscow’s sphere of influence.

While the Obama team tilts at windmills, the Russian president is well on his way to reversing a decades-old triumph of US diplomacy — and shifting the region’s balance of power his way.

Obama's "No-Cards" Foreign Policy

Fri, 02 Aug 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Welcome to America’s “no-cards” foreign policy, in which the most powerful man in the world, President Obama, always faces few choices — all of them bad.

Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin slapped Obama in the face by granting asylum to Edward Snowden, the man Washington wants to put on trial for stealing state secrets while working as an intelligence contractor.

Obama Sends the Wrong Signal on Egypt

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0600

As Egypt launched a 10-day parliamentary election yesterday, President Obama was setting the wrong tone.

On Friday, the White House chastised Egypt’s military rulers and urged them to “immediately” transfer power to . . . well, that part remained unclear, so let’s fill it in: the Islamists.

Neo-Nazis vs. Islamists: Who's the Bigger Threat?

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0500

One natural reaction to Friday's atrocity in Oslo will be to redirect much of our attention -- and our limited anti-terrorism resources -- away from Islamist militants to the "blonde on blonde" menace.

That would be a mistake.

Why Mexico's Losing Its Drug War

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0600

As he visits Washington today, here's something for Mexican President Fe lipe Calderon to discuss with Presi dent Obama: Calderon's war on the drug gangs is costing a lot in American money and Mexican blood -- and he's losing.

His goals are admirable: Erasing the huge and criminal underground economy would show Mexicans that their country can become, like the US, a land where the rule of law benefits everyone and therefore deserves respect.

Obama & Bibi Are Pals - For Now

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Don't be fooled by yesterday's lovefest between President Obama and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Bam is still from Venus, and Bibi's still from Mars.

Even as the two leaders made great efforts to agree on (almost) all issues in front of the cameras after their "excellent" fence-mending meeting, the differences came out loud and clear.

Obama showered praise on his guest's commitment to peace, starting by commending Israel's latest moves on easing the blockade of Gaza. "I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu wants peace. I think he is willing to take risks for peace," the president said, adding that the Israeli leader is helping to advance the vision of "two...

Not All Foreign Policy 'Narratives' Are Equal

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Israel's (Wisely) Modest Aim in Gaza

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Will Syria Get Away with Murder?

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0600