AIPAC's analysis of current issues, policy and legislation.
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May 02, 2012
Amid unprecedented Mideast chaos and instability, Israel and the United States are facing a host of growing security challenges, including the expanding rocket and missile arsenals of Hamas, Hizballah, Syria and Iran. The terrorist groups, backed by their state sponsors, have fired thousands of rockets and missiles at Israeli civilians since 2005. American personnel in the Middle East and elsewhere face similar threats. The United States and Israel can address these threats through expanding cooperation to protect citizens and soldiers of both nations.
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May 01, 2012
AIPAC Briefing Book 2012
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April 17, 2012
The United States faces extraordinary challenges to its security, economy and preeminent role in world aff airs. American military leaders repeatedly warn that we cannot meet these challenges through costly military force alone. U.S. leadership in the world today also depends on a robust foreign aid budget.
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March 26, 2012
A nuclear-capable Islamic Republic of Iran is a grave threat to U. S. national security. It is essential that the United States lead the effort to prevent one of the most dangerous countries in the world from having the most lethal weapon known to man.
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March 14, 2012
Recently adopted U.S. and international sanctions, designed to persuade Tehran to end its pursuit of nuclear weapons, are having an unprecedented impact on the Iranian economy. The value of Iran’s currency has dropped by half, while Iran struggles to conduct basic international trade. China, Japan, and South Korea appear to be reducing their purchases of Iranian crude, while foreign commodities suppliers are hesitant to ship to a nation having difficulty paying its bills. Iran can resume normal trade and investment ties with the world by coming into compliance with its nonproliferation obligations and terminating its nuclear weapons program.
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March 03, 2012
Iran’s acquisition of a nuclear weapons capability would mark a significant new regional danger, as Tehran would be able to use its status as a nuclear-capable state to increase its power and threaten U.S. national security. To stop Iran from becoming a nuclear threshold state, the United States must dramatically quicken the pace and scope of sanctions while bolstering the credibility of its option to use force. The United States cannot rely on a policy that seeks to contain a nuclear Iran.
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March 03, 2012
The Middle East is experiencing unprecedented chaos and instability. Israel is contending both with emerging threats and heightened traditional security challenges, including: Iran’s approaching nuclear weapons capability; Islamist parties dominating Egypt; violence reigning in Syria; Hizballah expanding its military might and influence in Lebanon; increasing uncertainty for Jordan’s leadership; and PA President Abbas reconciling with an unreformed Hamas and refusing talks with Israel. Amid these new realities, the United States should further strengthen its security relationship with Israel, America’s leading ally in the Middle East.
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March 01, 2012
Members of the House and Senate have introduced resolutions (H. Res. 568 and H. Res. 380) that say it is in the vital national interest of the United States to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability. Iran’s acquisition of such a capability—even before it possesses an actual nuclear weapon—would mark a significant new regional danger, as Tehran would be able to use its status as a nuclear-capable state to increase its regional leverage, threaten broad American interests, and likely spur a nuclear arms race.
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February 10, 2012
Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas’ decision to pursue an interim unity government with Hamas will severely hinder Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. As Abbas well knows, Hamas remains a terrorist group bent on Israel’s destruction. Congress has made clear to the PA that U.S. aid will be jeopardized if a unity government is formed as a result of an agreement with an unreformed Hamas.
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February 10, 2012
Iran is approaching a nuclear weapons capability. Iran’s acquisition of such a capability—even before it possesses an actual nuclear weapon—would mark a significant new regional danger, as Tehran would be able to use its status as a nuclear-capable state to increase its regional leverage, threaten broad American interests, and likely spur a nuclear arms race. The United States must make clear that Iran will not be permitted to achieve a nuclear weapons capability.
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January 20, 2012
Iran’s decision to begin enriching uranium closer to weapons-grade at an underground bunker is a dangerous escalation by Tehran. This advancement comes just months after the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) unprecedented report detailing for the first time that Iran had engaged in activities related to the production of nuclear weapons. Although sanctions against Iran have begun to take effect, the United States and its allies must fully implement the complete menu of sanctions at their disposal to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons breakout capability.
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December 09, 2011
Time and again, Israeli leaders have offered direct negotiations to their Palestinian neighbors. Unfortunately, Palestinian leaders have repeatedly rebuffed Israeli entreaties, set preconditions for talks and turned to bodies like the United Nations. The United States and the international community should continue to urge the Palestinians to end their long campaign of rejectionism and make a real effort to achieve peace through negotiations with the Jewish state.
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December 09, 2011
The Senate voted 100-0 last week to impose sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) — the key financial facilitator of Iran’s nuclear weapons program and its support for terrorism. The Obama administration also recently imposed new measures to target Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors. Congress should quickly finalize CBI sanctions in the National Defense Authorization Act, and the administration should strictly implement these sanctions to dissuade Tehran from its nuclear weapons quest.
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November 10, 2011
The Palestinians’ successful effort to seek membership at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) represents a blatant attempt to politicize the U.N. system and seek platforms to further attack Israel. Similar Palestinian efforts at other U.N. agencies will only serve to undermine the worthy goals of those agencies and impede efforts to realize Israeli-Palestinian peace. The United States must continue to dissuade Palestinians from these harmful efforts at the United Nations while urging them to return to the negotiating table with Israel.