DC notes: Iran, Abbas, Israel factor

Iran
More from the Washington Institute conference this past weekend: Three Israelis spoke about Iran Saturday night and all of them showed some signs of anxiety as they talked about the prospects of deterring Iran from using WMD against Israel.

The three are Uzi Arad, former advisor to Benjamin Netanyahu, Uzi Dayan, former IDF deputy chief of staff, and MK Ephraim Sneh (Labor), former deputy defense minister. An American expert on Iran - generally in favor of the diplomatic course - thought that their presentation was worrisome. The U.S. should make it a priority to calm down the Israelis and keep them on the same page as the Americans, he said, to make sure they do not surprise us with a military strike on Iran. He admitted that the slowness with which the UN is taking on the issue is a major factor contributing to the lack of trust on the side of the Israeli establishment.

Sneh was the most blatant of the three, stating in his answer to one of the questions that the "Jews will stay alone" to face Iran. Interestingly enough, no one in the crowd asked the panelists about the desirability of an official strategic alliance between the U.S. and Israel - an American umbrella - as a mean of deterrence against Iran.

As usual, more on Iran in the time saver.

Abbas

National Security Advisor Steve Hadley talked to journalists today on the way to N.Y. Here's one question and answer regarding the situation in the Palestinian Authority:

What is the president's message going to be to PA Chairman Abbas on Wednesday? And is he going to be open to the idea of restarting some kind of financial aid to the Palestinian government?

Hadley: Look, the framework of the policy is pretty clear. We support voices of moderation. Obviously, Abbas is one. He's committed to peace, and we have worked with him and would continue to work with him. That's why the president is going to see him. The big question, of course, is whether Hamas will renounce violence, accept the existence of Israel, and accept the agreements that have been made. That's the $64 question. And we hope they would.

Factor

Tomorrow it will be time for the weekly analysis of The Israel Factor. Last week I wrote about Senator Obama, and this week it will be a roundup of some factors which might influence the next ranking.