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Last update - 15:10 27/05/2009
Dennis Ross vs. Obama: No link between Iran, Mideast peace
By Yossi Melman
Tags: Israel News, Iran 

Dennis Ross, the U.S. Secretary of State's special adviser on Iran, says in a new book that the United States will not make progress toward peace in the Middle East with the Obama administration's new plan.

The book, written with David Makovsky and entitled "Myths, illusions, and Peace: Finding a New Direction for America in the Middle East," opposes the Obama administration's concept of linkage. The book is to be published by Viking Press next month.


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ontrary to the position of the president and other advisers, Ross writes that efforts to advance dialogue with Iran should not be connected to the renewal of talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Other senior officials in the Obama administration told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his recent visit to Washington that Israeli gestures and the advancement of talks with the Palestinians will help the administration get Iran to suspend uranium enrichment.

Because of Ross' position, his superiors at the State Department do not allow him to promote the book or be interviewed about it.

In the second chapter, entitled "Linkage: The Mother of All Myths," Ross writes: "Of all the policy myths that have kept us from making real progress in the Middle East, one stands out for its impact and longevity: the idea that if only the Palestinian conflict were solved, all other Middle East conflicts would melt away. This is the argument of 'linkage.'"

Ross wrote the book with Makovsky, a former Jerusalem Post journalist who in recent years has been a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, considered a pro-Israel think tank.

The book was written before Ross took up his current position as senior State Department adviser. Ross' appointment has been controversial because he is an observant Jew and is considered a strong supporter of Israel.

His critics argue that the appointment could hurt the dialogue President Barack Obama hopes to conduct to solve the controversy over Iran's nuclear program and change relations between the two countries.

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      1.   Ross is right 04:09  |  Brod 27/05/09
      2.   Dumb and Dumber 04:22  |  Samy 27/05/09
      3.   To BS News (not YET posting)...."Time`s up for Obama". 04:23  |  flyingdoc57 27/05/09
      4.   Melman Slanders Ross`s Critics 04:44  |  Aaron Miller 27/05/09
      5.   Ross was a real dumb choice 04:44  |  A. H. Ladan 27/05/09
      6.   Trying to guarantee your retirement before you hit the road? 04:48  |  Brian 27/05/09
      7.   The situation is simple 05:04  |  Mark Lincoln 27/05/09
      8.   Israel and Ross like supporters make propagandic links themselves 05:14  |  jim the mechanic 27/05/09
      9.   To # 3. 05:15  |  Ed 27/05/09
      10.   There is absolutely NOTHNG the US can do to make peace 05:34  |  Mark Lincoln 27/05/09
      11.   American or Israeli? 05:35  |  David 27/05/09
      12.   Dennis Ross 05:44  |  Norman Gardner 27/05/09
      13.   Ross is NOT right 05:49  |  johnj 27/05/09
      14.   Yea Ross is right, dont make it better, add fuel to the fire 05:53  |  ChrisR 27/05/09
      15.   Will Obama listen to someone more experienced than him? 05:53  |  Fortuna Benmayor 27/05/09
      16.   Sand is shifting 06:11  |  neutral 27/05/09
      17.   Nothing like an objective point of view 06:18  |  Harold 27/05/09
      18.   Is Not Obama the good Samaritan? 06:19  |  Shimon Cleopas 27/05/09
      19.   Thanks, Mr. Dennis Ross, For Pointing Out The Obvious 06:19  |  Jeff Northridge 27/05/09
      20.   linking iran`s nuclear weapons with the palestinians is absurd 06:21  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 27/05/09
      21.   Marc Linoln The situation is simple 06:26  |  No Dope 27/05/09
      22.   #7, MarkL, "Iran can do nothing" 06:34  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 27/05/09
      23.   Dennis Ross vs. Obama: No link betwen Iran, Mideast peace 06:36  |  Henry Kahn 27/05/09
      24.   State Dept. correct, Ross rightly in the doghouse 06:37  |  Ivar 27/05/09
      25.   Worlds help? 06:51  |  Moonface 27/05/09
      26.   Mr. Ross selection was a mistake through and through.... 06:52  |  Wedi Mendefera 27/05/09
      27.   ROSS WORKS FOR THE PAKISTANI INTELLIGENCE ! 07:57  |  Fortuna Benmayor 27/05/09
      28.   The despicable Ross stabs Obama in the back 08:00  |  peacelover 27/05/09
      29.   Condemners of Ross: 08:00  |  Paul Freedman 27/05/09
      30.   Ross & Makovsky 08:01  |  peacelover 27/05/09
      31.   The mole has spoken 08:13  |  Steve the Pals. 27/05/09
      32.   Obama should fire Ross 08:17  |  Fred Glass 27/05/09
      33.   Few nations can match the fundamental legitimacy that Israel has. 08:18  |  Mario Sala 27/05/09
      34.   The closer peace comes the harder Iran will work to disrupt it 08:27  |  PETER SM 27/05/09
      35.   Ross exposed by Clayton Swisher in the Truth About Camp David 08:30  |  Jackie 27/05/09
      36.   Not an honest broker, never has been 08:33  |  Stephanie 27/05/09
      37.   Reducing strategies and policies to caricatures 08:34  |  Reuben Aaron 27/05/09
      38.   Ross Has Got to Go! 08:43  |  Mark of Lewiston 27/05/09
      39.   It is simple, really 09:16  |  Uri 27/05/09
      40.   Heaven or hell solutions for middle east 09:20  |  allang 27/05/09
      41.   Ross, Israeli warmongers, distort Iranian political history 09:23  |  Ivar 27/05/09
      42.   Choose someone you respect or that supports your ideology? 09:29  |  Richard 27/05/09
      43.   Dennis Ross Vs Obama 09:39  |  Michael Gorinsky 27/05/09
      44.   Who has the better arguments - Dennis Ross or Obama? 09:49  |  S 27/05/09
      45.   IT DEPENDS 10:10  |  indrajaya 27/05/09
      46.   GEE Ross what happened 10:11  |  mark 27/05/09
      47.   33 Richard - US System is Presidential, not Parliamentary 10:16  |  Mark of Lewiston 27/05/09
      48.   I am glad #28 brings up Clayton Swisher`s book 10:20  |  Michael N 27/05/09
      49.   OF COURSE IT HAS A LINK 10:39  |  Indrajaya 27/05/09
      50.   (3rd try) Is he the same Dennis Ross, co founder of AIPAC? 10:39  |  Maureen Ann 27/05/09
      51.   Ross was Israel`s de facto foreign minister for years 10:43  |  SD 27/05/09
      52.   2nd try - Who has the better arguments - Ross or Obama? Part I 11:21  |  S 27/05/09
      53.   OBAMA IS A GENIUS 11:23  |  indrajaya 27/05/09
      54.   #30 Not strictly true, Mark of Lewiston 11:25  |  Johnboy 27/05/09
      55.   Cipora Julianna Kohn re M Lincoln 11:34  |  TonyL 27/05/09
      56.   Mark of Lewiston 11:39  |  TonyL 27/05/09
      57.   Who has the better arguments - Ross or Obama? part II 11:40  |  S 27/05/09
      58.   3rd try - Who has the better arguments - Ross or Obama? part I 11:51  |  S 27/05/09
      59.   2nd try - Who has the better arguments - Ross or Obama? part II 11:52  |  S 27/05/09
      60.   MAUREEN AIPAC founded in 1950.Ross born 1948 08:02  |  PETER SM 27/05/09
      61.   To Indrajaya #40 `OBAMA IS A GENIUS` 12:01  |  Colin Wright 27/05/09
      62.   Ross, Obama and the ME Peace 12:04  |  DT 27/05/09
      63.   Dennis Ross: Obama plan won`t bring Mideast Peace. 12:09  |  Akram Zekaria 27/05/09
      64.   JACKIE Reply to Swishers "rather silly book" 12:14  |  PETER SM 27/05/09
      65.   ROSS Knows Ahmadinejad/Assads contempt for USA & West 12:26  |  PETER SM 27/05/09
      66.   4th try - Who has the better arguments - Ross or Obama? part I 12:31  |  S 27/05/09
      67.   Johnboy 13:05  |  TonyL 27/05/09
      68.   I was waiting for your response PeterSM. 13:34  |  Maureen Ann 27/05/09
      69.   Johnboy # 42 Is Ross An Employee Or Not? 13:38  |  Jeff Northridge 27/05/09
      70.   To S/ What Ross thinks now? 13:40  |  Anne 27/05/09
      71.   Dennis Ross is such a shameful apologist... 13:56  |  Dutch 27/05/09
      72.   Might Ross be wrong? (Submitted a second time) 14:03  |  Joel A. Levitt 27/05/09
      73.   President Obama is on self dellision.. 14:09  |  Abecassis 27/05/09
      74.   MAUREEN dont change the subject to wriggle out of it 14:38  |  PETER SM 27/05/09
      75.   I wondered from the start 17:06  |  julie 27/05/09
      76.   Dennis Ross is not the decision maker hahahahahahahah 17:17  |  Igor 27/05/09
      77.   PETER SM #65 Yehoshua and Moses? 17:30  |  Roo 27/05/09
      78.   #10 Lincoln - Congrats, you`re right again 17:34  |  *BEN JABO 27/05/09
      79.   Moron Ann - You`re just jealous 17:37  |  Malach HaMavet 27/05/09
      80.   #68 Moron Ann 17:40  |  Malach HaMavet 27/05/09
      81.   Why such an uproar? 18:20  |  Lynn 27/05/09
      82.   TonyL - Focus on the System 19:02  |  Mark of Lewiston 27/05/09
      83.   Strange but true. Ross is right! 19:12  |  B 27/05/09
      84.   to Ivar 19:15  |  Onimo 27/05/09
      85.   #7 Lincoln - You finally have it right!!! 19:16  |  *BEN JABO 27/05/09
      86.   I can`t believe it: why this post was not posted ? 19:19  |  Reuben Aaron 27/05/09
      87.   No linkage, therefore no need to solve the Palestinian issue. 19:21  |  American in NY 27/05/09
      88.   I can`t believe it !!! this post not been posted (try # 10) 19:28  |  Reuben Aaron 27/05/09
      89.   Ross-still acting as `Israel`s attorney` 19:30  |  Roo 27/05/09
      90.   Why Haaretz refuses to post this post (more than 4 trials) 19:32  |  Reuben Aaron 27/05/09
      91.   Israel will link the two if it is to her advantage 20:07  |  Ibrahim 27/05/09
      92.   linkage 20:24  |  colin nelson 27/05/09
      93.   Mr. Ross is fully aware of the "linkage" factor and 20:30  |  Witness 27/05/09
      94.   No Peace without understanding the problem!!! 20:38  |  Dr Eric 27/05/09
      95.   It`s Clinton Administration Part 2: Out of Control Again 20:40  |  Ovadiah ben Araham 27/05/09
      96.   The Arabs do not see Peace as an ultimate value!! 20:41  |  Dr Eric 27/05/09
      97.   The Arabs were never required to make concrete concessions!! 20:46  |  dr eric 27/05/09
      98.   Dr. Eric #94, #96 & #97 What have they got concrete to cede? 22:28  |  Smadar 27/05/09
      99.   393 Witness....maybe Ross has a more reality based 22:35  |  Lynn 27/05/09
      100.   s 66 Who has better argument for America, Ross or Obama? 23:22  |  American in NY 27/05/09
      101.   #98 Smadar sees what isn`t there 01:36  |  peter 28/05/09
      102.   My Dear S 01:58  |  Persian Kitty 28/05/09
      103.   why not come right out and be honest 02:47  |  American in LA 28/05/09
      104.   To Ovadia ben Araham@95 Oh you made my day with the whole list. 03:13  |  Whiskey/Bravo 28/05/09
      105.   #103 Explain this to me, American in LA 03:18  |  Johnboy 28/05/09
      106.   American in LA # 103 Slight Correction 03:55  |  Jeff Northridge 28/05/09
      107.   `Links`: going from bad to wurst 05:45  |  Morris Valentine 28/05/09
      108.   ROO The quotes are sourced in the Memri article 05:51  |  PETER SM 28/05/09
      109.   AM In NY Ross is an expert in the field yours is polemics 05:55  |  PETER SM 28/05/09
      110.   Mark of Lewiston, talking of systems 06:53  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 28/05/09
      111.   #107 Morris, are you *that* blinkered? 07:14  |  Johnboy 28/05/09
      112.   110 Cipora - Addendum 07:22  |  Mark of Lewiston 28/05/09
      113.   #106 Jeff Northridge 07:30  |  Rick 28/05/09
      114.   #106 Jeff Northridge. Do you read & comprehend? 08:43  |  american in LA 28/05/09
      115.   Dennis Ross finnacial records! 09:01  |  Stacy 28/05/09
      116.   STACY is a public speaking fee not legal in the USA? 09:11  |  PETER SM 28/05/09
      117.   Hello dear Persian Kitty! 09:49  |  S 28/05/09
      118.   #116 PeterSM. Payment for public speaking... 10:18  |  Maureen Ann 28/05/09
      119.   Morris Valentine #107 11:02  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 28/05/09
      120.   #69 4th try to correct Jeff`s misconception 13:34  |  Johnboy 28/05/09
      121.   Persian Kitty re the Iranian elections 15:49  |  American in NY 28/05/09
      122.   #5th try to point out Jeff`s foolishness 00:53  |  Johnboy 29/05/09
      123.   #118 Moron Ann 04:05  |  *BEN JABO 29/05/09
      124.   #115 Stacy - Ross didn`t conceal his finances 04:10  |  *BEN JABO 29/05/09
      125.   #100 American in NY 04:36  |  Malach HaMavet 29/05/09
      126.   Johnboy - Ross is far mroe Qualified than Obama 04:40  |  *BEN JABO 29/05/09
      127.   what ross conveniently skirts (3rd try) 05:23  |  eric 29/05/09
      128.   Johnboy - Your captions prove only one thing 05:27  |  *BEN JABO 29/05/09
      129.   #126 -2 Johnboy - I listed what Ross did 05:30  |  *BEN JABO 29/05/09
      130.   #126 That is not the issue, BEN JABO 07:35  |  Johnboy 29/05/09
      131.   #129 Yeah, you did, BEN 07:40  |  Johnboy 29/05/09
      132.   Johnboy - Hillary has a real BIG JOB 17:00  |  *BEN JABO 30/05/09
      133.   #132 -2 Johnboy 06:45  |  *BEN JABO 31/05/09
      134.   #132 She has a real job, BEN, and Ross doesn`t. 14:01  |  Johnboy 31/05/09
      135.   #133 What link would that be, BEN? 14:03  |  Johnboy 31/05/09
      136.   #135 Johnboy - Delusional as usual 18:22  |  *BEN JABO 31/05/09
      137.   Johnboy - You`re the one that requires meds 18:36  |  *BEN JABO 31/05/09
      138.   Johnboy - Out of his gord 18:43  |  *BEN JABO 31/05/09
      139.   Johnboy - I realized why you mantioned meds 19:39  |  *BEN JABO 31/05/09
      140.   #136-139 The censor won`t let me post a reply, BEN 05:58  |  Johnboy 02/06/09
      141.   Johnboy - Just as well he didn`t 16:42  |  *BEN JABO 02/06/09
      142.   #141 A content-free post, BEN 13:38  |  Johnboy 03/06/09
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