Iran's Nuclear Leapfrog - How Will the Obama Administration React?

1) "Iran Has Enriched More Uranium Than Thought," A12, by William Broad & David Sanger
2) "Netanyahu Gains in Bid to Be Israeli Premier," A13, by Ethan Bronner
3) "Congressmen and Kerry Visit Gaza," A13, by Taghreed El-Khodary
4) "Visa is Issued to One Israeli Player After Another Is Denied," B11, by Richard Sandomir

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1) Iran Has Enriched More Uranium Than Thought

In the top article of the day, the Times troubling reports that the atomic inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "found that Iran recently understated by a third how much uranium it has enriched." This means that Iran now has enough uranium "to make an atom bomb."

Through the article, the reader shockingly learns that the IAEA inspectors "[make] independent checks on Iran's progress only once a year." This seems to a flawed policy given how close Iran is coming to nuclear independence and potentially a nuclear weapon.

Independent nuclear weapons experts expressed surprise at the disclosure and criticized the atomic inspectors for making independent checks on Iran’s progress only once a year.

The two Times reporters provide some smart analysis on this development:

The political impact of the report, while hard to measure, could be significant for the Obama administration. Mr. Obama has said that he wants to open direct talks with Iran about its nuclear program. But starting that process could take months, and the report suggests that Iran is moving ahead briskly with its uranium enrichment.

The message: if there is to be a peaceful resolution to this issue that prevents Iran from attaining a nuclear weapon, President Obama must work quickly.
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The very end of the article also importantly reports that the IAEA has found that "uranium particles found at a Syrian facility that Israel had bombed in 2007" were not from Israeli bombs, as Syria's propaganda machine had charged. A seasoned observer of the conflict would have recognized Syria's reflexive propaganda but it is still positive that the IAEA has exonerated Israel.

2) Netanyahu Gains in Bid to Be Israeli Premier

This Bronner article focuses on the likely reality that Benjamin Netanyahu of the center-right Likud Party will become Prime Minster after he received the endorsement of right-wing Yisrael Beitenu, led by the controversial Avigdor Lieberman.

While the article is mostly factual, it does falsely assert that Lieberman "demand[s] that all Arab citizens sign a loyalty oath to the Jewish state." Lieberman's oath would apply to ALL citizens of Israel, whether Jewish, Christian, or Muslim. Such an oath would apply just as much to anti-Zionist Arabs as it would apply to anti-Zionist ultra-orthodox Jews. Such specifics may seem gratuitous but it is the role of the Times to present the truth, however nuanced it may be.

3) Congressmen and Kerry Visit Gaza

The next article notes a visit to the Gaza Strip by Senator John Kerry as well as Congressmen Keith Ellison (MN) and Brian Baird (WA).

Unfortunately, the article permits Hamas to voice its propaganda as Hamas Deputy Foreign Minister speaks about "Israeli crimes."

If one of the goals of the media is to report the truth, should it report propaganda, which distorts the truth?

4) Visa is Issued to One Israeli Player After Another Is Denied

Ceding to international pressure, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has permitted Israeli tennis player Andy Ram to play in the 2009 Dubai Tennis Championships after denying Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer from playing in the women's tourney.

This is too little too late, but it at least demonstrates that the UAE policies can be affected by international pressure. UAE attempted to deny the political nature of its visa denial to Peer, but Larry Scott, chief executive of the WTA tour, quickly picked up on the UAE's hypocrisy:

It’s odd to see a statement that you’re letting Israelis play one week a week after you didn’t let Israelis play. I’m relieved to see that they changed the policy, but it doesn’t change what happened last week when they denied a player for no good reason the opportunity to play.

True words.