Mandatory Reading For Anyone Interested in the Middle East: The Israeli Lobby

[Ron Humphrey]

His critics made two claims:

1. He was too critical or even hostile to Israel.
2. He was not trustworthy because he worked for Chinese/Saudi entities.

On the first count, that is a matter of perspective, but those who are the most supportive of Israel are the people who most opposed this appointment. His comments in the link Rex provides are pretty frank on that score.

On the second count, he denies it. I haven't seen much evidence one way or another. A lot of it seems to come down to interpretation of a few select comments he made in the past - quotes which he and DNI Blair say were taken out of context.

Just wondering if anyone here actually knew of anything specific

[Rex Brynen]

An interest commentary on Chas Freeman by his son can be found online at the Washington Note: Fathers and Sons: A Spirited Defense of Chas Freeman by his Politically Divergent Son.

Stephen's Walt's comment at Foreign Policy is also interesting: On Chas Freeman's Withdrawal.