AIPAC Lobbyists Used As Go Betweens By Rice and Others?

From the Gazette

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and some of President Bush's top foreign policy advisers [former Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz; former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage; and Marc Grossman, former undersecretary of state for political affairs] must testify about their conversations with pro-Israel lobbyists, a federal judge ruled Friday in a trial over the misuse of classified information.

Two former American Israel Public Affairs Committee lobbyists accused of passing classified information to an Israeli official and the press. They argue, however, that the U.S. regularly uses the pro-Israel group to send back-channel communications to others, and they say Rice can verify that unofficial but sanctioned role.

Lobbyists Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman subpoenaed Rice, National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, Deputy National Security Adviser Elliott Abrams and a dozen others to testify.

Prosecutors unsuccessfully challenged the subpoenas. If the officials ultimately testify, the trial in federal court in suburban Alexandria, Va. could offer a behind-the-scenes look at the way U.S. foreign policy is crafted.

The lobbyists are accused of receiving classified information from a now-convicted Pentagon official and relaying it to an Israeli official and the press. The information included details about the al-Qaida terror network, U.S. policy in Iran and the bombing of the Khobar Towers dormitory in Saudi Arabia, federal prosecutors said.

But defense attorneys argued that top U.S. officials regularly used the lobbyists as a go-between as they crafted Middle East policy. More

Rice's Solution to Blackwater Misdeeds--Cultural Awareness Training

This is tough love...NOT!

From the BBC

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has ordered new measures to improve government oversight of private security contractors used in Iraq.

It follows a review by an independent panel ordered after an incident last month involving the US firm Blackwater, in which some 17 Iraqi civilians died.

The steps include tightening the state department's rules of engagement so they are line with the military's.

Contractors will also have to undergo improved cultural awareness training.

There will also be better co-ordination with the US military and tighter restrictions on the use of force.

Boards will be set up to investigate any future killings involving private contractors in Iraq, and will have the power to refer cases to the US justice department.

Contractors will also have to have Arabic speakers on hand.

State Dept. to Blackwater: Loose Lips Sink Ships

Talking Points Memo snagged this letter which seems to say, "don't do anything until you hear from us."

Besides the James Bond reference (i.e., State Dept. worker named "Moneypenny"), this seems more Tom Clancy-like. No doubt the reason House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chair, Henry Waxman waxed philosophical to Secretary of State Rice.

The Social (and Global) Divide in Iowa

The Des Moines Register yesterday posted the latest poll results showing John Edwards and Mitt Romney ahead in Iowa according to 801 prospective caucusgoers. What was much more interesting to me was the division on the priority of the importance of issues between Republican and Democrat caucusgoers.

For example, while Democrats put the war in Iraq on top of their list, it comes in number four to Republicans. Where terrorism and national security are number one and two on the list of Republican's priorities, they are number five and seven to Democrats. Maybe the biggest disconnect between Democrats and Republicans on foreign policy is on relations with other countries where Dems place it at number two, Republicans place it at number 12.

On the domestic front, health care, the nation's long-term debt, and the economy and jobs were the Dems top three priorities, while faith and values, immigration, and abortion were the top three Republican priorities.

The only point of agreement appears to be tax policy as a priority (Dems placed it 12th and Reps, 9th)--although it is highly unlikely that Donkeys and Elephants agree about the means, I'm sure everyone would prefer lower taxes.

For those of us who feel that global climate change is real, neither party's caucusgoers share our concern--Dems place it no higher than 11th and it is dead last among Republicans.

If statistics are to be believed, it would appear that the country is more ready for a black, male president (Barack Obama has a 74% favorable rating with 15% of Republicans saying they would support him), before a female president of any color. Although 50 percent of Republicans would like to see Condoleeza Rice run and Hillary Clinton is seen as favorable by 66% of caucusgoers.

Ah, but the caucus season is young and the passions for candidates and issues will likely ebb and flow as January 2008 creeps toward us.