21/04/2009 Israeli Military Intelligence Chief Amos Yadlin said Monday that the Middle East policy of U.S. President Barack Obama's administration could endanger Israel.
 
"The Obama administration is determined to take initiative and move forward central processes in the Middle East," Yadlin told ministers at a special cabinet meeting.
 
"Obama wants to advance the peace process in the direction of realistic discussions with extremist elements," Yadlin said, adding that the struggle between what he called “extremist and moderate elements” in the region was worsening.
 
Over the last three years, Yadlin's security updates to ministers have mainly focused on the challenges facing Israel and have rarely referred to diplomatic opportunities with Syria or the Palestinians.
 
In his first appearance before the ministers in the newly installed Netanyanu cabinet, Yadlin offered his assessment of the strategic situation in the Middle East.
 
Yadlin commented on the threats facing Israel as well as the diplomatic efforts on the Syrian and Palestinian fronts. What was noteworthy about the day's developments is that in a briefing held by the Israeli Prime Minister's bureau following the session with Yadlin, the MI chief's remarks about the threats against Israel were the only comments released to the press.