Press & Perspectives
The Watchpost, Mideast Watchpost, and other ongoing commentary from the American Jewish Congress’s policy team.
While headlines focused on President Donald Trump warning Iran that the clock is ticking, a regional scramble is now underway behind the scenes. President Trump stopped an imminent resumption of the war on Iran on Tuesday following a request by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to give last-ditch peace efforts a chance.
A former Pakistani foreign minister who played a covert role in relaying messages between the United States and Iran says Israel is now indirectly represented in talks brokered by Pakistan. Khurshid Kasuri held the position between 2002 and 2007.
As the United States engages Iran in renewed diplomatic talks, the American Jewish Congress believes this moment requires clarity, discipline, and realism. Diplomacy is an essential tool of statecraft, but only when it produces verifiable changes in behavior.
On September 17, 2005, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf addressed American Jewish leaders at an event hosted by the American Jewish Congress, declaring that "Pakistan has no direct conflict or dispute with Israel" and calling for regional peace and cooperation in a historic breakthrough moment in diplomacy.
The Pentagon has been involved in discussions regarding Israel's potential retaliation against Iran, with American and Israeli officials continuously reviewing contingency plans for possible Israeli strikes. President Biden expressed deep concern about leaked classified documents detailing Israel's plans for a potential strike on Iran.
Hamas suddenly dropped its demand for a permanent end to war before agreeing to any deal to release hostages, with Israeli leaders crediting sustained military pressure on terror holdouts in Gaza. CIA Director William Burns met with regional officials to seize this diplomatic opportunity.
Israel-Saudi Arabia normalization efforts accelerate with a landmark joint venture between Israeli solar company SolarEdge Technologies and Saudi firm Ajlan & Bros, signaling potentially historic diplomatic progress between the two nations.
