Marc Ambinder notes that Dennis Ross's appointment as a State Department adviser for the Middle East portfolio has been oddly quiet. Ross is a celebrated diplomat beloved in the Israel community and well-respected in Washington: Why so little hubbub? Where, asks Ambinder, is the "ceremony?"Here's a theory: The pro-Israel community is currently furious about the choice of Chas Freeman for director of the National Intelligence Council. Freeman is the director of the Middle East Policy Council and, so far as these things go, brings an Arabist take to Middle East issues (he's also done a lot of work in Asia, including serving as Nixon's translator in China, and has extensive Africa experience). I've spoken to him for articles on Iraq and found his take informative and unique. Which is what you want for the National Intelligence Council, a body that's supposed to offer alternative thinking in a town that's too often depressingly herd-like. (For an interesting look at Freeman's range of interests and recent activities, see this schedule.)Ben Smith has confirmed that Freeman was offered, and has accepted, the job. That's good news: Freeman is an outside-of-the-box pick, and his presence ensures the administration won't suffer from a dearth of internal dissent and argument. But Freeman's role has not yet been publicly announced. "Everybody’s up in arms and trying to figure out how to deal with it," said one official at a "major pro-Israel organization" (note the anonymous official also insisted on an anonymous affiliation). For now, the strategy seems to be leaking damaging e-mails. At the same time, there's little the pro-Israel community wants more than to see Dennis Ross in charge of the Iran portfolio. Holding back on publicly defining Ross's role might buy them some breathing room on Freeman. ROSS AND FREEMAN.
Marc Ambinder notes that Dennis Ross's appointment as a State Department adviser for the Middle East portfolio has been oddly quiet. Ross is a celebrated diplomat beloved in the Israel community and well-respected in Washington: Why so little hubbub? Where, asks Ambinder, is the "ceremony?"Here's a theory: The pro-Israel community is currently furious about the choice of Chas Freeman for director of the National Intelligence Council. Freeman is the director of the Middle East Policy Council and, so far as these things go, brings an Arabist take to Middle East issues (he's also done a lot of work in Asia, including serving as Nixon's translator in China, and has extensive Africa experience). I've spoken to him for articles on Iraq and found his take informative and unique. Which is what you want for the National Intelligence Council, a body that's supposed to offer alternative thinking in a town that's too often depressingly herd-like. (For an interesting look at Freeman's range of interests and recent activities, see this schedule.)Ben Smith has confirmed that Freeman was offered, and has accepted, the job. That's good news: Freeman is an outside-of-the-box pick, and his presence ensures the administration won't suffer from a dearth of internal dissent and argument. But Freeman's role has not yet been publicly announced. "Everybody’s up in arms and trying to figure out how to deal with it," said one official at a "major pro-Israel organization" (note the anonymous official also insisted on an anonymous affiliation). For now, the strategy seems to be leaking damaging e-mails. At the same time, there's little the pro-Israel community wants more than to see Dennis Ross in charge of the Iran portfolio. Holding back on publicly defining Ross's role might buy them some breathing room on Freeman. 
