Will Obama's Second Term Search For Middle East Peace Focus On Hamas Instead of Abbas?

Aaron David Miller writes about The Three-State Solution, that while some look to a two state solution between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs

But on the Palestinian side, the greatest challenge remains the pesky problem of Noah's Ark. Simply put, the Palestinian national movement has been too successful: It has two of everything -- constitutions, mini-states, security services, funding streams, and patrons.

Whether or not the "Noah's Ark problem" is a sign of success is questionable. What is not in doubt is that despite the most recent of a long line of attempts to create a unity government between Hamas and Fatah -- No sign of progress as Palestinian rivals meet in Egypt:

The Middle East Media Sampler 1/9/2013: Hagel and Kerry and Brennan -- Oh My!

From +David Gerstman

1) Cabinet making

In 2008, on the campaign trail, candidate Barack Obama flattered himself by evoking Abraham Lincoln and promising a cabinet composed of a "team of rivals."

Now headed into his second term he has proposed three new officials for his government. The Washington Post sees this as an opportunity for A Senate Debate on Mr. Obama's foreign policy. The editorial works from the assumption that John Brennan and Senators John Kerry and Chuck Hagel are qualified and should confirmed as Director of Central Intelligence, Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense, respectively.

An Arab Writer Presents The Case Against Chuck Hagel

With Kerry, Hagel and Brennan selected by Obama to join his administration, the case will be made that the only reason to oppose these nominations is that they are not strong enough -- or are in fact opposed to -- Israel. Thus the fact that Hagel denigrated a choice for a diplomatic position because he was gay will be passed over.

What is important to realize though, is that these 3 appointments in the past have consistently insisted on the importance of the US talking to Syria and Iran, as well as Hamas and Hezbollah.

Perhaps that is why Obama's choice of Kerry, Hagel and Brennan are not a cause for concern just for Israel.

Peter Beinart Presents McCarthyism For Dummies

Edgar Bergen with his ventriloquist's dummy
Charlie McCarthy

Peter Beinart has been known to throw around the term McCarthyism.

When he wrote about it in 2010, Beinart was using the term in decrying the scapegoating of Muslims in the US. He compares it to the Palmer raids under Democratic President Woodrow Wilson where thousands of communists, anarchists, immigrants, and labor radicals were rounded up and deported -- as well as with the red scare exploited by Republican Joe McCarthy.

Beinart writes that such isolationism avoids a basic fact:

Despite Poor Record, Senator Kerry Likely To Become Secretary of State

Syria is an essential player in bringing peace and stability to the region
Senator John Kerry, April 2010

Image from National Review's The Kerry Spot

According to an article in FrontPageMag.com, John Kerry's record in the Senate belies the alleged expertise he would bring as Secretary of State:

Kerry gets a pass for his own lack of judgment regarding a host of issues, from his enduring support for Syrian butcher Bashar Assad and his belief that climate change is a “national security” issue, to his unthinkable testimony before the U.S. Congress maligning America and Vietnam vets while running interference for the Viet Cong? Kerry, it seems, cannot kick the habit of sidling up to the great killing machines of our time.

Among the issues mentioned: