Abbas Affirms Palestinian Bid for U.N. Membership ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Ethan Bronner - (Analysis) September 5, 2011 - 12:00am RAMALLAH, West Bank — President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority said Monday that he was going to the United Nations this month to seek membership for a state of Palestine, not instead of negotiations with Israel, but in addition to them. His goal, he said, was for a Palestinian state and Israel to live in peace and security next to one another. Even after any recognition by the United Nations, Mr. Abbas said, his hope is to negotiate with Israel. » Read more

Leak Offers Look at Efforts by U.S. to Spy on Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Scott Shane - (Analysis) September 5, 2011 - 12:00am WASHINGTON — When Shamai K. Leibowitz, an F.B.I. translator, was sentenced to 20 months in prison last year for leaking classified information to a blogger, prosecutors revealed little about the case. They identified the blogger in court papers only as “Recipient A.” After Mr. Leibowitz pleaded guilty, even the judge said he did not know exactly what Mr. Leibowitz had disclosed. » Read more