U.S. searches for strategy to end Syria violence

The United States appears to be out of answers on what to do with Syria.

The Obama administration says it is not considering invading Syria or arming its rebels to remove President Bashar Assad from power. Diplomatic efforts at the U.N. have collapsed. A new, much-touted option of humanitarian assistance for Syria’s beleaguered population is a longshot (more…)

Iran is a lot more divided now than it was , says Obama

President Barack Obama said on Monday the United States has a “very good estimate” of Iran’s progress toward processing uranium but has some difficulty keeping track of the political dynamics within the Islamic Republic.

“Do we know all the dynamics inside of Iran? Absolutely not. (more…)

Obama called for direct talks with Iran in a secret letter

U.S. President Barack Obama has called for direct talks with Iran in a secret letter to the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader that also warned Tehran against closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a conservative Iranian lawmaker was quoted as saying Wednesday. (more…)

Obama calls for end of Syrian regime

President Barack Obama on Tuesday condemned as “unacceptable” Syria’s continuing crackdown on protesters and repeated his call for President Bashar al-Assad’s government to leave power. (more…)

Israel: Netanyahu deputy disappointed with Obama on Iran

A senior Israeli official voiced disappointment in the Obama administration on Sunday, saying “election-year considerations” lay behind its caution over tough Iran sanctions sought by U.S. legislators.

While Washington has been talking tougher about Iran’s nuclear work and threat to block oil export routes out of the Gulf if hit with harsher sanctions, (more…)

Mexico’s grand warlock predicts Obama will lose, Syria will be invaded

Mexico’s self-appointed grand warlock has predicted that US President Barack Obama will lose the 2012 election and Syria will be invaded .

Antonio Vazquez, who calls himself the “Brujo Mayor”, or grand warlock, leads a Mexican tradition of “brujeria” (sorcery), centered in the south-eastern city of Catemac. (more…)

Israel refuses to alert US over Iran attack

ISRAEL has refused to reassure President Barack Obama that it would warn him of a pre-emptive strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, raising fears that it may be planning an attack as early as the next northern summer. (more…)

Ross exit fresh hit for U.S. Mideast policy

The flagging U.S. effort to broker new Middle East peace talks took a fresh hit on Thursday when presidential advisor Dennis Ross stepped down, leaving the White House without its chief Mideast strategist and one of its most seasoned peace negotiators. (more…)

Netanyahu gaffe highlights mistrust

A candid moment between French and US presidents has laid bare the testy relationship between Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s allies, and underscored the lingering discord between the White House and the Israeli Prime Minister.

In an exchange that took place at last week’s G20 meeting in Cannes, Nicolas Sarkozy allegedly branded Mr Netanyahu a ”liar” (more…)

Bachmann pushes Obama to apologize to Israel’s PM for candid comments caught on an open mic

Republican presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann called on President Barack Obama Tuesday to apologize to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for an unflattering exchange caught on an open microphone at a summit in France last week. (more…)