WHO GETS TO BREAK THE NEWS TO THE NORWEENIES?:

Obama's mettle is about to be tested: As the Middle East slides towards renewed conflict, the president has to revitalise US efforts for a peace – or face humiliation (Simon Tisdall, 10/18/09, guardian.co.uk)

It's getting harder each day for the Obama administration to maintain the illusion of progress in Middle East peacemaking. The UN human rights council's vote to condemn Israel's January assault on Gaza, furiously rejected by the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, at the weekend, was the latest blow to US efforts to kickstart negotiations on a two-state solution. Across the region, all the signs point not to reconciliation but to renewed confrontation.

Given how much time he spends apologizing and groveling to dictators, it's hard to believe the UR will mind another humiliation much.

Posted by Orrin Judd at October 18, 2009 11:25 AM