September 20, 2012 | 1:42 am

September 20, 2012

Posted by Shmuel Rosner

Barack Obama and King Abdullah of Jordan meeting at the White House, May 2011. (Photo: Reuters)

In-depth

As Jordan Stumbles, the U.S. Response Is Crucial

The U.S. must provide wise counsel to Jordan as it seeks to calm an increasingly agitated population, writes David Schenker of the Washington Institute. 

Aside from funding, perhaps the most important contribution the administration can make is a consistent message of clarity and commitment to incremental but forward-looking reform that leaves Jordan more open, representative, and transparent -- but not another domino tipping toward the Muslim Brotherhood.

A Coup for America

Zalmay Khalilzad of Foreign Policy argues the case for the U.S. to bring down Syrian leader Bashar Assad. 

America has important interests at stake in Syria, including the opportunity to transform this pivotal Middle Eastern country from an Iranian proxy that sponsors terrorism, pursues weapons of mass destruction, and brutalizes its own people, into a stakeholder of regional stability. American credibility is also on the line, in light of President Barack Obama's call for Assad to step down.

Israeli Soccer Champion Sparks Urban Revival

Juliane von Mittelstaedt of Der Spiegel visits Kiryat Shmona to discover the impact of the city's soccer success on the locals. 

...who wants to live in a city where every resident has a gas mask and a bomb shelter at home? Still, a few players have come to this city without bars, clubs or restaurants, where the highpoint of the week is a Shabbat dinner with fans and teammates. Perhaps that's even part of the reason for Kiryat Shmona's success: the fact that it's hard to feel like a star here.

Daily Digest

Times of Israel: US warned Israel that strike on Iran will cause Egypt, Jordan to sever ties, report says

Haaretz: Israel rejects U.S.-backed Arab plan for conference on nuclear-free Mideast

Ynet: Erdogan: Jewish tycoon mediated between Israel, Turkey

Jerusalem Post: US election ad featuring Netanyahu to debut in Florida

New York Times: Talk to Iran's Leaders, but Look Beyond Them

Washington Post: Iran preparing internal version of Internet to control dissent

Wall Street Journal: Cartoons Prompt French Closures Around World

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