Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni talks to SPIEGEL about the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip and why she believes it is a mistake to negotiate with Hamas. Israeli soldiers chant slogans after a briefing before entering Gaza on a combat mission Sunday. SPIEGEL: Ms. Livni, has Israel achieved its aim of destroying the radical Islamist group Hamas? Tzipi Livni: No, but Israel has successfully weakened Hamas and dealt it a heavy blow. The operation was never about destroying Hamas -- rather our aim was to restore our deterrence capability. We took their leaders by surprise with our operation. They will think twice before they dare to fire the next rocket at Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni talks to SPIEGEL about the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip and why she believes it is a mistake to negotiate with Hamas.
Israeli soldiers chant slogans after a briefing before entering Gaza on a combat mission Sunday.
SPIEGEL: Ms. Livni, has Israel achieved its aim of destroying the radical Islamist group Hamas?
Tzipi Livni: No, but Israel has successfully weakened Hamas and dealt it a heavy blow. The operation was never about destroying Hamas -- rather our aim was to restore our deterrence capability. We took their leaders by surprise with our operation. They will think twice before they dare to fire the next rocket at Israel.
Despite the horrifically high death toll among civilians, Israel continues its war in the Gaza Strip, even threatening to launch a full invasion. So far the United Nations and the European Union have failed in their attempts to bring about a cease-fire. They return after the sun has set over Gaza. All that can be heard at first is the droning of diesel engines. Then the headlights cut through the darkness and Israeli Merkava tanks emerge from the clouds of dust churned up by their heavy chains. Soldiers covered in sweat and dirt climb from the cockpits, young conscripts hardly 20 years old. They have spent the last three days and nights in their tanks, where they have eaten, slept and relieved themselves. They embrace each other, sing songs and talk about how smoothly everything went. "How many terrorists did you kill?" someone asks Benni from Petach Tikva. "Three," says Benni, which earns him a congratulatory slap on the back. But Benni isn't in the mood for celebration. "I had to do it, but they are humans, too." "Oh, come on," says the other soldier, "you're a great guy."
Despite the horrifically high death toll among civilians, Israel continues its war in the Gaza Strip, even threatening to launch a full invasion. So far the United Nations and the European Union have failed in their attempts to bring about a cease-fire.
They return after the sun has set over Gaza. All that can be heard at first is the droning of diesel engines. Then the headlights cut through the darkness and Israeli Merkava tanks emerge from the clouds of dust churned up by their heavy chains.
Soldiers covered in sweat and dirt climb from the cockpits, young conscripts hardly 20 years old. They have spent the last three days and nights in their tanks, where they have eaten, slept and relieved themselves.
They embrace each other, sing songs and talk about how smoothly everything went. "How many terrorists did you kill?" someone asks Benni from Petach Tikva. "Three," says Benni, which earns him a congratulatory slap on the back. But Benni isn't in the mood for celebration. "I had to do it, but they are humans, too." "Oh, come on," says the other soldier, "you're a great guy."
Israeli troops have made their deepest push yet into Gaza since the beginning of the 18-day-old conflict, as Palestinians prepare for another night of heavy shelling. The Israeli military said on Tuesday its air force had hit what it described as 60 Hamas targets overnight, while 19 rockets were fired from Gaza into southern Israel in the same period. Israeli jets have continued to pound the city of Rafah in southern Gaza near the border with Egypt. Israel is using "bunker-busting" bombs in an attempt to destroy underground tunnels it says have been used to smuggle weapons and goods into the blockaded Gaza Strip. Ayman Mohyeldin, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Gaza, said tens of thousands of Palestinians had fled their homes after the Israeli military dropped leaflets warning them of intensive air strikes.
Israeli troops have made their deepest push yet into Gaza since the beginning of the 18-day-old conflict, as Palestinians prepare for another night of heavy shelling.
The Israeli military said on Tuesday its air force had hit what it described as 60 Hamas targets overnight, while 19 rockets were fired from Gaza into southern Israel in the same period.
Israeli jets have continued to pound the city of Rafah in southern Gaza near the border with Egypt.
Israel is using "bunker-busting" bombs in an attempt to destroy underground tunnels it says have been used to smuggle weapons and goods into the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Ayman Mohyeldin, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Gaza, said tens of thousands of Palestinians had fled their homes after the Israeli military dropped leaflets warning them of intensive air strikes.
This is beyond delusional. I don't know where this ends, but I doubt it will end well. If there are people in New York calling for the elimination of all palestinians, you can bet there are siren voices within the Knesset saying similar things. Heck, I could name a couple of likely suspects.
what will become of Israel if they go much further : Their friends should be terrified. keep to the Fen Causeway
TEL AVIV -- Despite heavy air and ground assaults, Israel has yet to cripple the military wing of Hamas or destroy the group's ability to launch rockets, Israeli intelligence officials said on Tuesday, suggesting that Israel's main goals in the conflict remain unfulfilled even after more than two weeks of war. The comments reflected a view among some Israeli officials that any lasting solution to the conflict would require either a breakthrough diplomatic accord that heavily restricts Hamas's military abilities or a deeper ground assault into urban areas of Gaza, known here as a possible "Phase Three" of the war.
TEL AVIV -- Despite heavy air and ground assaults, Israel has yet to cripple the military wing of Hamas or destroy the group's ability to launch rockets, Israeli intelligence officials said on Tuesday, suggesting that Israel's main goals in the conflict remain unfulfilled even after more than two weeks of war.
The comments reflected a view among some Israeli officials that any lasting solution to the conflict would require either a breakthrough diplomatic accord that heavily restricts Hamas's military abilities or a deeper ground assault into urban areas of Gaza, known here as a possible "Phase Three" of the war.
Hillary Clinton has pledged to use a "smart" mix of military and diplomatic power as US secretary of state, in testimony before a US Senate committee. The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee is conducting a hearing to confirm Mrs Clinton's appointment as secretary of state. The former New York Senator has been greeted warmly by her ex-colleagues. But they may ask tough questions about conflicts of interest triggered by her husband, former President Bill Clinton. Mr Clinton's charitable foundation has received a number of donations from foreign governments and multinational corporations.
Hillary Clinton has pledged to use a "smart" mix of military and diplomatic power as US secretary of state, in testimony before a US Senate committee.
The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee is conducting a hearing to confirm Mrs Clinton's appointment as secretary of state.
The former New York Senator has been greeted warmly by her ex-colleagues.
But they may ask tough questions about conflicts of interest triggered by her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
Mr Clinton's charitable foundation has received a number of donations from foreign governments and multinational corporations.
WASHINGTON: Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton signaled on Tuesday that the United States would try to increase its diplomatic contacts with Iran and Syria, and she declared that the vision of Israelis and Palestinians co-existing in peace and prosperity must not be abandoned. Despite the "seemingly intractable problems" in the Middle East, "we cannot give up on peace," Senator Clinton said before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is considering whether to confirm her appointment her as President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be Washington's top diplomat. Clinton said America must recognize Israel's right to defend itself from Hamas rockets but cannot ignore the suffering of Palestinians citizens, as well as Israelis. "Real security for Israel, normal and positive relations with its neighbors" as well as genuine security for Palestinians must continue to be America's ideal, she said. The senator acknowledged that lasting peace in the Middle East, and the idea of Israel and a Palestinian state living side by side, are dreams that have been elusive, and that American presidents, including her husband, have been frustrated in their efforts to achieve them. Nevertheless, she said, this is a time of great opportunities as well as dangers, in the Middle East and elsewhere.
WASHINGTON: Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton signaled on Tuesday that the United States would try to increase its diplomatic contacts with Iran and Syria, and she declared that the vision of Israelis and Palestinians co-existing in peace and prosperity must not be abandoned.
Despite the "seemingly intractable problems" in the Middle East, "we cannot give up on peace," Senator Clinton said before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is considering whether to confirm her appointment her as President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be Washington's top diplomat.
Clinton said America must recognize Israel's right to defend itself from Hamas rockets but cannot ignore the suffering of Palestinians citizens, as well as Israelis. "Real security for Israel, normal and positive relations with its neighbors" as well as genuine security for Palestinians must continue to be America's ideal, she said.
The senator acknowledged that lasting peace in the Middle East, and the idea of Israel and a Palestinian state living side by side, are dreams that have been elusive, and that American presidents, including her husband, have been frustrated in their efforts to achieve them. Nevertheless, she said, this is a time of great opportunities as well as dangers, in the Middle East and elsewhere.
Former US Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk talks to SPIEGEL about how the US's Middle East policy will be different under Barack Obama and why the US needs to reach out to countries such as China and Russia. Barack Obama, seen here during his visit to Israel in July 2008, has the potential to reach out to both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. SPIEGEL: Mr. Indyk, President-elect Obama has so far refused to comment on the Israeli attacks in Gaza. Is that a mistake? Martin Indyk: Before he assumes the presidency, he can only talk but has no authority to act. Therefore, it is wise to remain silent. SPIEGEL: What kind of Middle East policy do you expect from him? Indyk: He will reach out to both sides. America is Israel's closest ally and will remain so. But Obama has the potential to develop much more influence in the region than his predecessors. His narrative as the son of a Kenyan father, his childhood in Muslim Indonesia, his middle name Hussein, his rise to power as the first African-American president on his own merits without wealth or a famous name behind him -- all that deeply impresses the Arabs.
Former US Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk talks to SPIEGEL about how the US's Middle East policy will be different under Barack Obama and why the US needs to reach out to countries such as China and Russia.
Barack Obama, seen here during his visit to Israel in July 2008, has the potential to reach out to both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
SPIEGEL: Mr. Indyk, President-elect Obama has so far refused to comment on the Israeli attacks in Gaza. Is that a mistake?
Martin Indyk: Before he assumes the presidency, he can only talk but has no authority to act. Therefore, it is wise to remain silent.
SPIEGEL: What kind of Middle East policy do you expect from him?
Indyk: He will reach out to both sides. America is Israel's closest ally and will remain so. But Obama has the potential to develop much more influence in the region than his predecessors. His narrative as the son of a Kenyan father, his childhood in Muslim Indonesia, his middle name Hussein, his rise to power as the first African-American president on his own merits without wealth or a famous name behind him -- all that deeply impresses the Arabs.
If Obama expects a pass, I think he will be quickly disabused. keep to the Fen Causeway
WASHINGTON -- Timothy F. Geithner, President-elect Barack Obama's choice for Treasury secretary, failed to pay more than $34,000 in federal taxes over several years early this decade, and also faces questions about the employment papers of a former household employee, suddenly complicating what had seemed to be an easy confirmation process in the Senate. Mr. Geithner, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, huddled privately with members of the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday afternoon to explain that he had now paid the back taxes and interest. Senate Democratic leaders quickly released statements of support lest the controversy threaten the nomination.Two senior Senate Republicans likewise gave endorsements, echoing the argument of Obama transition officials that Mr. Geithner's failures were innocent mistakes or technicalities.
WASHINGTON -- Timothy F. Geithner, President-elect Barack Obama's choice for Treasury secretary, failed to pay more than $34,000 in federal taxes over several years early this decade, and also faces questions about the employment papers of a former household employee, suddenly complicating what had seemed to be an easy confirmation process in the Senate.
Mr. Geithner, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, huddled privately with members of the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday afternoon to explain that he had now paid the back taxes and interest. Senate Democratic leaders quickly released statements of support lest the controversy threaten the nomination.
Two senior Senate Republicans likewise gave endorsements, echoing the argument of Obama transition officials that Mr. Geithner's failures were innocent mistakes or technicalities.
Smart is the new cool. So said Arne Duncan, the Chicago schools' chief, at his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday to be Barack Obama's education secretary. Obama's brainy ways and political posse of "hot nerds," as one admiring reporter dubbed them, could inspire schoolchildren to aspire. When Duncan spends a little more time in Washington, he will learn something strange: Politics is a place where really smart people often get caught doing really dumb things. Take Tim Geithner, the hot nerd tapped by Obama to fix the colossal mess left by W. and Henry Paulson, a man who played with live snakes and dead-on-arrival ideas. How does a guy on the fast track to be Treasury secretary fail to pay $34,000 worth of federal taxes ($43,200, including interest), or forget to check on the immigration status of a house cleaner -- the same sort of upstairs-downstairs slip-up that has tripped up other top-drawer prospects on their way to top jobs here? Americans expect the man who's in charge of the I.R.S. to pay his own taxes.
Smart is the new cool.
So said Arne Duncan, the Chicago schools' chief, at his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday to be Barack Obama's education secretary.
Obama's brainy ways and political posse of "hot nerds," as one admiring reporter dubbed them, could inspire schoolchildren to aspire.
When Duncan spends a little more time in Washington, he will learn something strange: Politics is a place where really smart people often get caught doing really dumb things.
Take Tim Geithner, the hot nerd tapped by Obama to fix the colossal mess left by W. and Henry Paulson, a man who played with live snakes and dead-on-arrival ideas.
How does a guy on the fast track to be Treasury secretary fail to pay $34,000 worth of federal taxes ($43,200, including interest), or forget to check on the immigration status of a house cleaner -- the same sort of upstairs-downstairs slip-up that has tripped up other top-drawer prospects on their way to top jobs here? Americans expect the man who's in charge of the I.R.S. to pay his own taxes.
I know everybody loves to hate MoDo, but she has her moments. The fact is that what we're experiencing right now is a top-down disaster. -Paul Krugman
The top Bush administration official in charge of deciding whether to bring Guantanamo Bay detainees to trial has concluded that the U.S. military tortured a Saudi national who allegedly planned to participate in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, interrogating him with techniques that included sustained isolation, sleep deprivation, nudity and prolonged exposure to cold, leaving him in a "life-threatening condition." "We tortured [Mohammed al-]Qahtani," said Susan J. Crawford, in her first interview since being named convening authority of military commissions by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates in February 2007. "His treatment met the legal definition of torture. And that's why I did not refer the case" for prosecution. Crawford, a retired judge who served as general counsel for the Army during the Reagan administration and as Pentagon inspector general when Dick Cheney was secretary of defense, is the first senior Bush administration official responsible for reviewing practices at Guantanamo to publicly state that a detainee was tortured.
The top Bush administration official in charge of deciding whether to bring Guantanamo Bay detainees to trial has concluded that the U.S. military tortured a Saudi national who allegedly planned to participate in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, interrogating him with techniques that included sustained isolation, sleep deprivation, nudity and prolonged exposure to cold, leaving him in a "life-threatening condition."
"We tortured [Mohammed al-]Qahtani," said Susan J. Crawford, in her first interview since being named convening authority of military commissions by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates in February 2007. "His treatment met the legal definition of torture. And that's why I did not refer the case" for prosecution.
Crawford, a retired judge who served as general counsel for the Army during the Reagan administration and as Pentagon inspector general when Dick Cheney was secretary of defense, is the first senior Bush administration official responsible for reviewing practices at Guantanamo to publicly state that a detainee was tortured.
Jan. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Health workers in Zimbabwe's government, municipal and mission hospitals will be paid in foreign currency, the Herald reported, citing a circular sent to hospital and clinic staff. The government will help health workers to open foreign currency accounts in an effort to stop an exodus of doctors and nurses, the Harare-based newspaper said on its Web site today. The Geneva-based Global Fund and other non-governmental organizations are helping the Zimbabwean government pay foreign currency salaries, the newspaper said.
Jan. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Health workers in Zimbabwe's government, municipal and mission hospitals will be paid in foreign currency, the Herald reported, citing a circular sent to hospital and clinic staff.
The government will help health workers to open foreign currency accounts in an effort to stop an exodus of doctors and nurses, the Harare-based newspaper said on its Web site today.
The Geneva-based Global Fund and other non-governmental organizations are helping the Zimbabwean government pay foreign currency salaries, the newspaper said.
Ending the emission of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide by 2050 will be necessary to avoid "catastrophic disruption to the world's climate," according to the Worldwatch Institute in its 26th annual assessment, "State of the World 2009: Into a Warming World," released today. Yet, the independent research organization based in Washington, DC says opportunities abound in renewable energy and efficiency improvements, agriculture and forestry, and the resilience of societies for slowing and managing climate change. "We're privileged to live at a moment in history when we can still avert a climate catastrophe that would leave the planet hostile to human development and well-being," said Worldwatch Vice President for Programs Robert Engelman, project co-director for State of the World 2009. "But there's not much time left," Engelman said. "Sealing the deal to save the global climate will require mass public support and worldwide political will to shift to renewable energy, new ways of living, and a human scale that matches the atmosphere's limits."
Yet, the independent research organization based in Washington, DC says opportunities abound in renewable energy and efficiency improvements, agriculture and forestry, and the resilience of societies for slowing and managing climate change.
"We're privileged to live at a moment in history when we can still avert a climate catastrophe that would leave the planet hostile to human development and well-being," said Worldwatch Vice President for Programs Robert Engelman, project co-director for State of the World 2009.
"But there's not much time left," Engelman said. "Sealing the deal to save the global climate will require mass public support and worldwide political will to shift to renewable energy, new ways of living, and a human scale that matches the atmosphere's limits."
