Obama's Iran man is still pictured on site calling for sanctions on Iran
A friend writes, "While watching CNN (to learn more about the Holocaust shooting), I saw a commercial from a hard-line group called United Against a Nuclear Iran pushing for sanctions against Iran. I looked up the site on-line to find its leadership. Dennis Ross is among them. (So are Les Gelb and Walter Russell Mead.) How can the top State Dept official in charge of dealing with Iran be part of a private group calling for sanctions against Iran?" Note that Ross is pictured at the site as one of its "original co-founders and former co-chairman." The other co-founder is Richard Holbrooke, who is Obama's guy on Afghanistan/Pakistan.
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I realize you didn't write the headline, Philip, but there is no way Dennis Ross can be called "Obama's man."
With obvious reluctance and after great delay, the administration agreed to Hillary's plea that he be given a title and a salary.
He's her "special adviser" on the region (not specifically on Iran) and he is definitely not any kind of "envoy."
It looks like he's also been told to keep a very low profile.
The UANI website gives no indication of what his and Holbrooke's current relations to the group are. They may in fact have totally cut any ties.
I wouldn't read much into two photos on a website.
June 12, 2009 3:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's the bigger question: Why is Ross still the point man on Iran? After proving himself little-more than Israel's go-to guy anytime a snag develops in Democratic strategy in the Mideast, or anytime a phony, papered-over "image" of negotiation needs trotting out, he's useless. Let's go a new way. Let's try some fresh ideas. Let's dump Ross. Now.
June 12, 2009 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ross is our man if we're paying his salary. Anyone know how much we're paying him?
June 12, 2009 6:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Too much.
June 12, 2009 7:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Holbrooke and Ross are no longer affiliated with the group since taking on roles in the administration.
June 12, 2009 8:22 PM | Reply | Permalink