August 27, 2012 | 12:19 am

August 27, 2012

Posted by Shmuel Rosner

A boy carries an Israeli flag during the annual 'Salute to Israel' parade in New York. (Photo: Reuters)

‎In-depth‎

Azerbaijan and Iran: Mutual Hostility but Limited Rivalry

Tensions between Baku and Tehran could adversely impact on Israel’s relationship with Azerbaijan, write Gallia Lindenstrauss and Iftah Celniker for the Institute for National Security Studies.

The increased tension between Iran and Azerbaijan is not necessarily auspicious for Israel. While relations between Israel and Azerbaijan have blossomed because the two see Iran as a significant threat, there is still a limit as to how far Azerbaijan is willing to approach Israel at the expense of its relations with Iran.

The Problem with Grand Bargains

Writing in the National Interest, Ilan Greenberg and Andrew Radin argue that all-encompassing solutions to international crises may be counterproductive.

Even if leaders of a given society wanted to make a deal, they may not be able. A grand bargain is a hard sell: core nationalist issues that have been fought over for decades are often at stake. Even if an agreement seems fair, the leaders who signed it may be vulnerable to nationalist outbidding and could be forced out of office. Hence, a large coalition is required for the country to agree to a grand bargain—and sufficiently broad coalitions rarely come about. Israel-Palestine is a clear example of how even a reasonable agreement may not be feasible.

The Weird Relationship Between American Jews and Israeli Jews

Writing for Open Zion in the Daily Beast, Emily L. Hauser explores the curious - and complicated - love affair between the two Jewish communities.

Many Americans see Israelis as the final arbiters of “real” Judaism. The gargantuan role played by the Jewish State in modern Jewish consciousness, Israelis’ daily use of our holy tongue, and the fact of an entire society shaped by the annual rhythms that Diaspora Jewry must struggle to maintain all provide a kind of cachet that can be dazzling.

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