Saudi Arabia announced that they are declining the UN Security Council seat.
Their website explains the decision saying that the Security Council is incapable of achieving peace in needy regions.

Monday June 20, 2008

Alert

Porter Goss' statement that the CIA has "an excellent idea" of the whereabouts of Osama Bin Laden was not a tease.
It was, however, a silly political blunder and an unfortunate example of how Goss does not understand his new role.

Goss made it sound so simple, that it only stands to reason that the American public responds by saying, "so go get him."
And the American public will be disappointed, and worse, disenfranchised when the al Qaeda leader is not immediately taken into custody.

Of course Intel has a very good idea of where Bin Laden is.
There are only several options.
But having "a good idea" is only part of a plan, the easy part.
Safely and effectively following through on the plan is the hard part.
Specifically narrowing down the whereabouts might be nearly impossible.
Real time Intel might be impossible.
Hitting (not capturing) him might be impossible.
A periodic sighting is not enough to plan an attack.

Approximate knowledge is not sufficient.
Goss did us all a misjustice.

Welcome to The Micah Report, my ruminations on Israel, terror & security and the Middle East as well as politics and world events. Thanks for stopping by.

It is an embarrassment of riches.

Jordan has just announced that it is volunteering to mediate between Syria and Israel. That announcement comes only one day after Egypt announced that it is volunteering to mediate between Syria and Israel.

This is a true victory for the forces of good versus the forces of evil.

These two Arab neighbors of Israel have only had a cold peace with her and here they are now, vying for the role of mediator with Syria.

Is it altruism? Is it true generosity? Or are there ulterior motives?

What is this really all about?
It is about a power play between Jordan & Egypt.

The Syrian/Israeli initiative is percolating at just the right time.
Jordan is making its move.

Jordan wants to become THE LEADER of the moderate Arab world. Last week they entertained Allawi, temporary prime minister of Iraq, in a failed attempt to reduce the terror and tension in Iraq, led by former Jordanian Zarkawhi.

Egypt has held that spot, as THE LEADER, for the past half a century.

Maybe Jordan can do it better. They think they can.

Welcome to The Micah Report, my ruminations on Israel, terror & security and the Middle East as well as politics and world events. Thanks for stopping by.

Marwan Barghouti changed his mind. AGAIN.

NOW he is a candidate to become the new leader of the Palestinian Authority.

Being in prison is the PERFECT PLOY. It would not be the first time that a prisoner ran for election. Or won. And if Barghouti actually won, it would be a sharp slap in the face to Israel.

This is the second time he is running. He withdrew his candidacy last week, insisting he wanted a SINGLE CANDIDATE from the Fatah party in the election.

NOW, he wants to be that candidate.

It is a brilliant tactical move on his part: IF he wins he will be a Nelson Mandela character and that will force Israel to deal with him very differently.

He'll need to be treated like a world leader NOT a terrorist a prisoner or convict.

He is more popular than any other person IN OR OUT of the region.
He symbolizes disdain for Israel and embraces Palestinian pride at the same time. His popular support is grounded in his style and image as "ONE OF THE PEOPLE."

Marwan Barghouti is the PERFECT candidate for the Palestinian people.

I met him numerous times. Someone is his office must be reading my columns!