Posted on 06/17/2009 7:11:56 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama, facing a mounting political crisis in Iran, is increasingly relying on the counsel of a career diplomat who has been a staunch supporter of tough measures to curtail Tehran's nuclear program.
The emergence of Middle East specialist Dennis Ross as a presidential confidant is being scrutinized in Washington for its potential impact on Mr. Obama's approach to Tehran, as the nuclear issue and electoral crisis play out.
Mr. Obama has committed himself to direct talks with Tehran, but has said the U.S. should keep all options on the table to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran. He also has said the Iranian regime can be expected to be hostile to the U.S., regardless of who is declared president.
Mr. Ross is about to move to the White House from the State Department, where he served as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's point man on Iran. In his writings and speeches, he has argued for a direct U.S. outreach to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, something White House officials say they have considered.
Mr. Ross has also argued for crippling sanctions, and potentially military action, if Tehran doesn't come to the negotiating table over the nuclear program, which the U.S. says is intended to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies. Mr. Ross didn't respond to requests to comment for this article.
The White House says his move there will strengthen the National Security Council and is an indication of the pre-eminence Mr. Obama is placing on the Iran issue. Two administration officials said Mr. Ross would maintain his role overseeing Iran policy while also providing Mr. Obama with advice on broader Mideast issues.
"Ross has been the point man on Iran, so his input is important," said Michael Adler, an expert on Iran's nuclear program .......
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
News ping!
Obama’s tough new measures:
“We’re really, really, really sorry!”
Dennis Ross can’t hide your already failed Iranian policies, especially in light of what is transpiring in Iran now. Furthermore, apparently the Iranian issue was clearly over your pay grade, as ironic that may seem for one being the POTUS, thus the entrance of Ross.
Obama is a defeatist and an appeaser, he will always be so.
fyi
BO remains silent because he relates to oppressive government.
Uh...yeah, but worse....his job appears to be to defeat any move by America to unhorse Imanutjob and his mullah buddies.
He will do anything to prevent the U.S. from acting.
More on Dennis Ross:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1093058.html
http://washingtonindependent.com/27235/dennis-ross-tehran-bound
http://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/about/leadership/dennis-ross
http://www.netanyahu.org/denroscon.html
Hildabeast trips, busts herself up, then zero steals her point man. What a team. It appears their duplicating the BJClinton administration. Bunch of jokers, and incompetents. And of course some real crooks.
“Former U.S. officials who have worked with Mr. Ross said he could prove to be an effective ally of Mr. Obama’s in managing Washington’s prickly relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mr. Ross developed close ties to Israel’s leadership during more than a decade of work aimed at forging an Arab-Israeli peace agreement.”
This is Ross’ real mission. He’s being pulled off Iran. I’m suprised at WSJ for burying this lead.
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