The President-elect and the Middle East

Israel and Hamas have rebuffed peace overtures, and the fighting in Gaza goes on, with President-elect Obama in the midst of choosing his foreign policy team.

Israel says Iran is behind Hamas’ rocket fire, and Obama today called Iran a "genuine threat" to America’s national security. But he also repeated his campaign pledge to rely on diplomacy in the region, adding that "my national security team is a reflection of that practical, pragmatic approach to foreign policy."

On this episode of "To the Point," will Obama’s administration open up to Arab and Muslim interests or continue the hard-line, pro-Israel line of the Bush Administration?

Guests:
– Ceci Connolly: National Reporter, "Washington Post"
– Trita Parsi: President, National Iranian American Council
– Daniel Levy: Director of the Middle East Initiative, New America Foundation
– Robert Malley: Director of the Middle East Program, International Crisis Group
– David Makovsky: Director, Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Project on the Middle East Peace Process

Hosted by award-winning journalist Warren Olney, "To the Point" presents informative and thought-provoking discussion of major news stories — front-page issues that attract a savvy and serious news audience.

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