Dr. James Zogby

Viewpoint with James Zogby

Posted on Thursday July 2, 2009

On Thursday’s edition of “Viewpoint with James Zogby”- Dr. Zogby and his guests discussed the history of U.S. Presidential policy toward Israeli settlements, the continuing crisis in Iran, and issues facing Muslim Americans.

Phillip Wilcox, President of the Foundation for Middle East Peace and former Ambassador at Large, assessed how former and current U.S. Presidents have reacted to the development of Israeli settlements. Beginning with President Carter, who was the first to “spell it out”, Wilcox analyzed Presidential policy up to the current President, Barack Obama. Saying that Obama had a very “calculated” and “careful” response, Wilcox said, “I think it’s a phase in U.S. policy which has turned decisively against settlements”.

Fellow at the New America Foundation, Afshin Molavi analyzed the accusations of fraud in the Iranian elections. Saying that “striking irregularities bear credence that [the Iranian] election was stolen”, Molavi noted that “plenty of people” in Iran are calling the situation a “coup d’etat”. He also mentioned that while Mousavi is a symbol of the movement, post-election Mousavi is being “driven by the crowds”. Molavi also noted the historical nature of the social movement, saying “it goes back one hundred years”.

President of the Islamic Society of North America. Ingrid Mattson, discussed the Annual ISNA Convention’s keynote speaker, Rick Warren. She also spoke about current issues facing Muslim Americans. When asked about verbal attacks toward the Muslim American community, Mattson explained her belief that the manner in which Obama responded to verbal attacks during the campaign serves as a “good model” for Muslim Americans.