Tag Archives: Camp David

International news

G7 going to meet at Camp David after all … imagine that

How about that? Donald Trump once sought to bring the leaders of the world’s wealthiest nations to his glitzy resort in south Florida, only to run into a firestorm of criticism from those who accused him of seeking to profit personally from the presidency.

He withdrew the suggestion that the G7 summit occur at Doral Country Club.

So, where did he agree to play host to the summit? Camp David, Md., where presidents have taken foreign leaders for decades.

It’s a publicly owned place in the Catoctin Mountains near Washington, D.C. It’s known to possess a sort of quaint elegance quality. There’s plenty of room for the heads of these nations and their staffs to stay. Camp David has plenty of meeting-room space. Heads of state and government can get away to confer privately if they wish.

So, why didn’t the president settle on Camp David in the first place? He instead decided to make an issue out of being the host for the annual summit of the world’s wealthiest nations. Remember how he said that Doral was the best place in the entire United States to host this event? Of course it was a ludicrous assertion.

He has decided to welcome the G7 nations to a perfectly fine location. Camp David already has seen plenty of newsworthy events during its time as the official presidential retreat. Let there be more news to be made when the G7 nations’ leaders gather next year.

International news

Biden: U.S., Israel 'love each other'

Vice President Joe Biden wants to set the record straight.

The United States and Israel are like “family.” The nations argue with each other, he said, but when the chips are down they “protect each other.”

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/joe-biden-israel-relationship-117313.html?hp=b1_r2

The vice president sought to tamp down the heated rhetoric of recent months over differences between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His remarks came at a ceremony marking the 67th anniversary of Israel’s independence.

Has the U.S.-Israel partnership been spat free over those six-plus decades? Hardly. Indeed, the differences pre-date the Obama administration. President Carter had difficulty negotiating the Israeli-Egypt peace agreement when he visited played host in 1978 to Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat at Camp David. Carter’s nemesis was Begin. But the deal got done.

Israelis know that the United States stands with them in critical moments. They know their principal ally will not forsake them when they face a direct threat from the neighbors.

“Sometimes we drive each other crazy, but we love each other — and we protect each other,” Biden said.

Isn’t that enough?