Free Republic

White House: Iran making threats on the Strait of Hormuz because it’s weak By Jeremy Herb - 01/03/12 04:41 PM ET In yet another ratcheting-up of the back-and-forth between the United States and Iran on Tuesday, White House press secretary Jay Carney said Iran is making threats on the Strait of Hormuz because it’s “in a position of weakness.” “It’s the latest round of Iranian threats and it’s confirmation that Tehran is under increasing pressure for its continued failure to live up to its international obligations,” Carney said at Tuesday’s press briefing. “Iran is isolated and seeking to divert attention...

US President George W. Bush invoked a national security waiver on Wednesday to prevent sanctions from being levied on the PLO for a period of six months. Under the Foreign Relations Act of 2003, PLO non-compliance with signed peace accords and continued use of terror and violence would force the president to impose at least one of a menu of sanctions unless he invokes a waiver contained in the law. President Bush's decision to waive sanctions on the PLO comes as his administration plans to try to jumpstart the dormant Middle East peace process.

WASHINGTON - Around 3,000 Jewish activists are expected to go to Capitol Hill next Tuesday to try persuade their Congress representatives to continue supporting Israel. It will mark the culmination of the annual conference of America's pro-Israel lobby, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which is held each year in Washington and is attended by senior U.S. administration officials and members of Congress, as well as numerous Israeli representatives. This time the thousands of lobbyists on Capitol Hill will be bearing a more complex message. They will as usual stress their expectations for support from the lawmakers for the...