The White House didn't want a new independent commission to investigate the Sept. 11 attacks, so they did the next best thing: insisted on a bipartisan commission; only bipartisan groups could be allowed to use subpoenas and at least 6 of the 10 members would have to approve the subpoena; and Bush just named Kissinger as the chairman. '[Ari] Fleischer said that the changes would ensure the inquiry's usefulness.'
'Bush names Kissinger to head Sept 11 commission,' NYT, 27 Nov 2002
and reading beyond the front page of the New York Times for the first time in a while now:
In Jenin on Friday, a military operation to arrest a Palestinian militant erupted into a fierce gun battle in which Israeli soldiers shot dead an 11-year-old Palestinian boy and a senior United Nations worker.
The death of the aid worker, a Briton, has caused considerable friction between Israel and the United Nations...
'West Bank Explosion Kills 2 'Most Wanted' '
Israel is asking the Bush administration for $4 billion in military aid and $8-10 billion in loan guarantees (helps Israel borrow at lower interest rates; the NYT tells us that there is no cost to the US if Israel repays its loans, and Israel has never defaulted on a loan). It is not known how much the administration will provide/ask from Congress yet.
A 26-month conflict with the Palestinians has strained Israel's defense budget, while the violence has sharply reduced foreign investment and tourism.
Israel is the largest recipient of United States loans and grants, amounting to $2.9 billion this fiscal year.
The State Department said last week it would ask Congress for $2.16 billion in military aid for Israel for fiscal year 2004, which begins next September. That is an increase of $120 million from a request for $2.04 billion for this year.
'Israel asks the U.S. for an increase of $4 billion in military aid'