Investigate now
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
(Editorial) January 22, 2009 - 1:00am


In the aftermath of the war, the questions arise. Now, as the last IDF soldiers leave the Gaza Strip and the plumes of smoke and dust dissipate over the ruins, the picture of the war starts becoming clearer.


Obama kick-starts Middle East diplomacy; first call from White House goes to Abbas
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
by Barbara Ferguson - January 22, 2009 - 1:00am


Barack Hussein Obama wasted no time plunging into foreign policy on his first full day in office yesterday, finally freed from the constraints of tradition that had forced him and his staff to remain silent about world affairs until he became president. Obama made a flurry of calls to Arab and Israeli leaders in a signal that Middle East peacemaking is a top priority following Israeli aggression against Gaza. A Palestinian spokesman said that Obama had told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that he was the recipient of his first call as the 44th US president.


Gaza smugglers get back to work
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC World News
January 22, 2009 - 1:00am


Hundreds of Palestinians are starting to repair tunnels in Gaza that are used for smuggling in goods from Egypt. Israel, which ended its 22-day offensive last Sunday, has warned of renewed military strikes on the strip if the tunnels are reopened. Residents along the border say food, fuel and other goods are moving through the several dozen tunnels that are still operational. Meanwhile, attempts continued in Egypt to find a lasting truce. The talks, with an Israeli envoy Amos Gilad, were expected to focus on stemming arms smuggling across the border. 'Hamas trying to rearm'


At Arab Gathering on Development, the Talk Is All About Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Michael Slackman - (Analysis) January 21, 2009 - 1:00am


Two and a half years ago, a group of Arab leaders decided it was time to try to set aside their political differences and deal with what was ailing their countries: widespread illiteracy, ineffective schools, unemployment, inadequate water and food resources. So they called for an extraordinary summit meeting to be held in Kuwait City this week. The plan was for the 22 members of the Arab League to agree on concrete ways to improve the lives of their 330 million citizens. Instead, they bickered over how to handle the Gaza crisis.


Analysis: Events in Gaza spell the end of the beginning
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Jonathan Spyer - (Analysis) January 21, 2009 - 1:00am


The Arab summit in Doha last week was intended to unite the Arab states in condemnation of Israel and begin diplomatic moves against it. But with Egypt and Saudi Arabia absent from the gathering and actively lobbying other Arab heads of state not to attend, the summit turned into a rally for the pro-Iranian bloc, in which Qatar looked like merely a constituent member.



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