Chuck Freilich
Senior Fellow, International Security Program
Contact:
Telephone: 617-495-8898
Fax: 617-496-0606
Email: chuck_freilich@harvard.edu
November 17, 2012
"US Should Stay Out of Israeli-Palestinian Peace Efforts, for Now"
Op-Ed, GlobalPost
By Chuck Freilich, Senior Fellow, International Security Program
"Some believe that President Obama should make use of his second term to renew efforts to promote the peace process, as have all of his predecessors. Honorable sentiments aside, he should not, at least not now; the last thing Israelis and Palestinians need is another failed peace initiative. Both already despair of the prospects of peace, and the last thing the US needs is to squander its political capital in the Middle East once again."
October 29, 2012
"Russia, China on 'Wrong Side of History' in Arab World"
Op-Ed, Diplomat
By Chuck Freilich, Senior Fellow, International Security Program
"China, a great power in the making, and Russia, a fading but nonetheless aspiring power, have repeatedly positioned themselves on 'the wrong side of history' in regard to the Iranian nuclear program, events in Syria, and more. Great power status confers not just prestige and influence, but also a need to share responsibility for international security and the 'global good.' With their uncaring pursuit of narrow national interests, neither is demonstrating a predilection to do so."
AP Photo
September 4, 2012
"Too Soon... Too Soon... Too Late!"
Op-Ed, The Jerusalem Post
By Chuck Freilich, Senior Fellow, International Security Program
"If Obama is elected, but maybe not if Romney is, there may still be time for one last diplomatic push, but only if backed up with a clear threat and deadline, and the US should put a far more generous proposal on the table, so that no one can argue that it has not fully tried. Simply strengthening sanctions will no longer cut it, it is too late for that."
AP Photo
August 4, 2012
"A Security Guarantee Now"
Op-Ed
By Chuck Freilich, Senior Fellow, International Security Program
"...Israel should explore the possibility of obtaining a U.S. security guarantee that is limited to the Iranian nuclear program (and possibly other existential threats), on the condition that it does not restrict our freedom of maneuver in other areas—or limit our strategic capabilities. These capabilities are the ultimate guarantor of our security and cannot be compromised, indeed, they may be sufficient in themselves to deter Iran. The United States, in any event, which is greatly concerned over the ramifications of an Israeli strike and is doing everything in its power to prevent one, may demonstrate greater openness to the idea than it did in the past...."
AP Photo
July 29, 2012
"Managing the Endgame in Syria"
Op-Ed, Diplomat
By Chuck Freilich, Senior Fellow, International Security Program
"...[I]t increasingly looks like a new regime may be as unsavory as its predecessor and may threaten the four decades of calm that have prevailed on the Golan Heights. The danger of escalation is great, especially if Syria, or its Iranian and Hezbollah allies, in a desperate attempt to save itself in its final extremis, seek to divert attention from their shared problems by using Syria's vast chemical arsenal against Israel, Syria's own citizens, or international players, should they seek to intervene. A long-established rule of dictatorship is that an external crisis is always a good means of deflecting attention from domestic challenges."
AP Photo
April 29, 2012
"A Tale of Three Capitals"
Op-Ed, The Jerusalem Post
By Chuck Freilich, Senior Fellow, International Security Program
"In Israel, although a range of views exists regarding the means of dealing with the nuclear threat, the approach is very narrowly focused; just prevent, or at least significantly delay, an Iranian bomb, even at the expense of other issues in which Israel has vital interests, such as Iran's massive arming of Hezbollah."
AP Photo
February 2, 2012
"Israel's Profound Choice on Iran"
Op-Ed, Los Angeles Times
By Chuck Freilich, Senior Fellow, International Security Program
"So herein lies the dilemma: a potential risk to the nation's existence versus the uncertain results of military action, the likelihood of a devastating Iranian/Hezbollah response, the risk of an end to the peace with Egypt and even a military confrontation and regional war, severe international opprobrium and a partial rift with the United States."
AP Photo
September 14, 2011
"Keep the Peace Between Israel and Egypt"
Op-Ed, Los Angeles Times
By Chuck Freilich, Senior Fellow, International Security Program
"An Israel worried about the future of peace with Egypt will be understandably less inclined to go forward with the Palestinians, but the need for a major diplomatic initiative, together with military restraint, is greater than ever. The Palestinians must ensure that the U.N. vote becomes a basis for negotiations, not conflict. The U.S. must bring all of its influence to bear on the Palestinians to encourage them to do so, and on Egypt to ensure that it continues to pursue a peaceful course. Responsible Egyptians must make their voices heard."
AP Photo
June 9, 2011
"Much Ado About Very Little"
Op-Ed, BitterLemons-International.org -- Middle East Roundtable, issue 16, volume 9
By Chuck Freilich, Senior Fellow, International Security Program
"Denuded of the boilerplate rhetoric, the president's message was clear: the United States will continue to pursue the same policy it has adopted since the Arab spring began. Events in each country will be treated as discrete policy issues, not as part of a broad regional vision or normative commitment, and the US will support reform where it serves its interests and as long as the price—politically, economically and especially militarily—is minimal. No clarion call for democracy, no broad strategic vision, just reactive realpolitik, with best wishes."
AP Photo
April 11, 2011
"Focus on Iran"
Op-Ed
By Chuck Freilich, Senior Fellow, International Security Program
As the popular uprisings sweep through the Middle East, attention has been diverted from Iran, in which all of the components of the revolutionary situation exist as well, writes Chuck Freilich. Regime change in Iran, he says, "should be the number one priority in the Mideast today and is an issue on which virtually all U.S. allies, in the region and beyond, can agree."
