Focus U.S.A.- Israel News | Haaretz Daily Newspaper

by Natasha Mozgovaya

In clash with U.S., Russia isn't above using its own orphans as pawns

Russian Parliament approves bill to ban adoption of Russian children by American parents in response to the American Magnitsky Act barring Russian human rights violators and their capital from the U.S..

By Natasha Mozgovaya | Dec 27, 2012 | 06:37 PM

Orphan children play in their bedroom at an orphanage in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don.

Russian lawmakers back bill banning Americans from adopting Russian children
By Reuters
Obama announces new task force to tackle gun violence in the U.S.
By Natasha Mozgovaya | 2
2012 at a glimpse: The 10 most popular articles on Haaretz.com
By Haaretz

Jacob Silverman, founder of J Street U at UC San-Diego.

Having 'real conversations about Israel' at J Street's conference

Peter Beinart's call to boycott Israeli settlements causes controversy, while Israeli social protest leader Stav Shaffir finds common cause with the younger generation of American Jews.

By Natasha Mozgovaya | Mar 26, 2012 | 06:52 AM | 3

Natasha Mozgovaya / J Street founder: Israel paying lip service to peace process

The title of the conference - 'Making history - seems quite ambitious in a year in which the peace process is in a deep coma, and even the relevance of the axiomatic two-state solution is being questioned.

By Natasha Mozgovaya | Mar 25, 2012 | 09:24 AM | 9

Beinart. “The achievement of Israel is not just the creation of a Jewish state, but the creation of

Iran and Peter Beinart roil the American Jewish pot

Beinart is cementing his role as U.S. Jewry's enfant terrible even as J Street, which will host him this weekend, is engaged in detente with the Israeli embassy. Meanwhile, Iran is proving a boon for Jewish fund-raising.

By Natasha Mozgovaya | Mar 22, 2012 | 01:31 AM | 8

In Russia, it's Putin as usual

Putin's presidential election win means more of the same: recycling politicians, denial of voting irregularities, and the seemingly never-ending opposition protests.

By Natasha Mozgovaya | Mar 8, 2012 | 07:38 PM | 2

Putin on a brave face

Sunday's presidential election in Russia will bear little resemblance to its American equivalent.

By Natasha Mozgovaya | Mar 1, 2012 | 12:39 AM

Benjamin Netanyahu and Barack Obama - Reuters

Thanks to the U.S. elections - and Iran

When Netanyahu meets Obama next month, settlements expansion probably won't be on the agenda. But the issue hasn't disappeared.

By Natasha Mozgovaya | Feb 23, 2012 | 06:41 AM

Republican debate, Arizona - 22.2.12 - Reuters

Polls up pressure on U.S. presidential candidates ahead of Republican debate

Four remaining GOP candidates to clash in Arizona, in the final debate before the state's vote, and those of Michigan and Super Tuesday.

By Natasha Mozgovaya | Feb 23, 2012 | 03:50 AM | 2

Hillary Clinton Avigdor Lieberman - Reuters - 08022012

A softer, gentler Lieberman

The foreign minister showed an unusually diplomatic side during his visit to Washington this week.

By Natasha Mozgovaya | Feb 9, 2012 | 01:22 AM | 2

Tampa polling station - Natasha Mozgovaya - 02022012

Eclectic cast of Jews added spice to Florida primary

Most Jewish voters in Wednesday's Republican primary focused on the economy, but there were many outliers.

By Natasha Mozgovaya | Feb 2, 2012 | 01:48 AM | 5

Gingrich supporters - Natasha Mosgovaya - January 2012

Voters uncertain about Romney, Gingrich as Florida votes in primaries

As Romney tries to convince Floridians that he hasn't 'sold his soul to the devil,' Gingrich is out to prove that as governor, Romney eliminated serving kosher food for the Jewish elderly.

By Natasha Mozgovaya | Jan 31, 2012 | 06:30 PM

About this blog

Natasha Mozgovaya is the chief U.S. correspondent for Haaretz, based in Washington D.C. Through Focus U.S.A., Mozgovaya presents additional insight to the people and politics of he United States, and how they affect Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World. Follow Natasha on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/mozgovaya