Gaza Live Coverage: A Ceasefire is Declared --- Now What?

See also Syria (and Beyond) Live Coverage: The Pressure Builds On Assad
Wednesday's Gaza Live Coverage: Israel Rejects Ceasefire and Maintains Assault

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1605 GMT: The Israeli Prime Minister's spokesman summarises Benjamin Netanyahu's statement of victory/defiance/warning this afternoon:

PM Netanyahu: Many terrorist leaders were killed. We eliminated thousands of missiles. Things that were built over the years were demolished

— Ofir Gendelman (@ofirgendelman) November 22, 2012

PM Netanyahu: We are ready to act should the quiet be violated. we will decide when and how to act, and against whom.

— Ofir Gendelman (@ofirgendelman) November 22, 2012

PM Netanyahu: Now we are giving the ceasefire a chance, but we are also prepared for the possibility that the ceasefire will not be upheld

— Ofir Gendelman (@ofirgendelman) November 22, 2012

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US Politics Analysis: Obama and the Democrats Launch Their Populist Campaign

Right now, there is an even chance President Obama could become another Jimmy Carter-style loser, or another Bill Clinton-like resurgent winner, but there is little doubt he will be going before the electorate without the aid of any positive policy achievements in his final year, and, if the IMF is correct, with the country in another recession. No wonder he is taking the fight to Republicans.

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Iran Analysis: Ahmadinejad 1, Interviewers 0 (and Why It Matters)

NBC's Ann Curry and Mahmoud AhmadinejadHere's the thing about a UN speech and these interviews with US broadcasters and journalists. They are, first and foremost, part of the political show. Ahmadinejad takes the spotlight and, unless someone greases the stage, he will act out his script, take a bow, and present the applause lines to his audience back home.

It is what happens in the wings that matters. And those "noises off", from the political in-fighting in Tehran to the President's attempt at back-channel negotiations with Washington to a systematic approach to detentions and intimidations to contain and fragment any opposition, demand an attention beyond this week in September.

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