Israel to build 1600 new homes in East Jerusalem, earns US ire (+ analysis); San Suu Kyi to be banned from Burmese elections; Chinese exports soar; Ahmadinejad in Afghanistan; and more
Top of the Agenda: Biden Criticizes Israeli Construction Plans
US Vice President Joseph Biden condemned (WashPost) Israel's plans to build sixteen hundred new housing units in East Jerusalem, a move that could upset the Obama administration's push for Mideast peace. Upon learning of the housing announcement, Biden said in a statement: "I condemn the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem." The word "condemn" is rarely used when criticizing close allies. The Israeli announcement came before a dinner meeting between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and after Israeli and Palestinian leaders agreed to hold indirect talks. Israel's Interior Ministry said the decision on new construction "was determined in advance and there is no connection to US Vice President Joe Biden's visit to Israel."
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said the Israeli announcement was "damaging" and posed a "great challenge" (AP) to restarting peace talks.
Analysis:
On Foreign Policy, Bernard Avishai says despite Netanyahu's boasts about Palestinian economic growth, little has been done to boost the private sector, a key aspect of the peace process.
The Economist writes that the Israeli government had been using the peace talk hiatus to intensify its refashioning of East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians see as their future capital.
In Foreign Affairs, Ehud Yaari says rather than pursuing a final-status deal now, Israel and the Palestinian Authority should agree to establish a Palestinian state within temporary armistice boundaries.
PACIFIC RIM: Chinese Exports Soar in February
China's exports grew (FT) 45.7 percent in February compared to a year earlier, beating analyst expectations.
Burma: Burma's new election law will prevent (NYT) famed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from running in upcoming parliamentary elections.
ELSEWHERE:
High Iraq Voter Turnout by Sunnis and Kurds
Ahmadinejad Arrives in Afghanistan
This is an excerpt of the CFR.org Daily News Brief. The full version is available on CFR.org.
