"Attitudes in Israel towards the United States, its primary ally, are generally very positive. However, at a deeper level, the relationship is more complex, reflecting both its centrality and its intricacy."

"For people in high positions, criticizing Bush now on Iraq is cheap talk. The idiotic, destructive war is done. Americans must live with its consequences and responsibilities no matter who is President."

"We are entering a troubling transition, and the irony is that while we preach our version of democracy abroad, it slips away from us at home." -

Robert D. Kaplan

"In last month’s column, I showed the cause and effect between a BBC World broadcast of a documentary on Israel’s nuclear program and Israel’s need to censor uncomfortable truths. Even though Israel’s Secret Weapon featured previously known factual data, the show challenged carefully crafted propaganda that had to be protected; thus, the show and the BBC were vilified."

"When it comes to anti-Islam, Muslim-bashing, smearing the Qur’an, or insulting the Prophet Muhammed in print, however, both publishers and authors stand to make money from the venture."

"How fortunate the world is that we do have Jewish men of honor, truth, and principle. These men, with their intellect and their abilities to think, communicate, and influence, could easily find financial enrichment by abandoning their principles."

"Mr. Safire can continue with his paper columns, Mr. Sharon with his tank columns and Israel with its barriers, bullets, bombs, and bulldozers: it will not matter in the end. Every injustice, every atrocity, has and will only continue to sharpen and strengthen the indomitable Palestinian will to resist against all odds."

"At a time when the Bush administration is under renewed criticism from Congress for flawed intelligence collection on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs and Iraq’s alleged links to al Qaeda, it faces withering fire from perhaps a more formidable foe: it’s own intelligence agencies."