Submitted by Brodsky on Tue, 12/23/2008 - 07:24
The following is an article I wrote for the American Foreign Policy Council. It was originally published here at the Jerusalem Post.
As the new president-elect begins to weigh the carrots and sticks he can employ when dealing with the Middle East, he will run into the question of how to handle Syria. Bashar al-Asad was the first to reach out with a telegram to Mr. Obama on November 7 that “expressed hope for constructive dialogue so that the difficulties can be overcome which have hampered the advance of peace, stability and progress in the Middle East.”
The list of these “difficulties” is indeed long. The regime in Damascus supports terrorist groups such as Hizballah and Hamas, continues to destabilize Lebanon, strives to become a nuclear power, and is politically and tactically wedded to Iran – and this is just the tip of the iceberg.
As the new president-elect begins to weigh the carrots and sticks he can employ when dealing with the Middle East, he will run into the question of how to handle Syria. Bashar al-Asad was the first to reach out with a telegram to Mr. Obama on November 7 that “expressed hope for constructive dialogue so that the difficulties can be overcome which have hampered the advance of peace, stability and progress in the Middle East.” The list of these “difficulties” is indeed long. The regime in Damascus supports terrorist groups such as Hizballah and Hamas, continues to destabilize Lebanon, strives to become a nuclear power, and is politically and tactically wedded to Iran – and this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Submitted by Brodsky on Fri, 08/08/2008 - 18:35
Israel faces several challenges today including a stalled peace process with an increasing worldwide call for a bi-national state solution; Iran’s nuclear program; and the growing social divide in Israeli society between religious and secular Jews. A two-state solution should remain the only acceptable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, the calls for one state for Jews and Palestinians alike will continue to gather steam in the future. Given the current demographic situation and problems in Israeli society, maintaining the status quo does not benefit Israel.
Israel faces several challenges today including a stalled peace process with an increasing worldwide call for a bi-national state solution; Iran’s nuclear program; and the growing social divide in Israeli society between religious and secular Jews. A two-state solution should remain the only acceptable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, the calls for one state for Jews and Palestinians alike will continue to gather steam in the future. Given the current demographic situation and problems in Israeli society, maintaining the status quo does not benefit Israel.
Submitted by Brodsky on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 16:17
Haaretz reports on another glarring example of UNFIL's inability to stop Hizballah from re-arming. It would be an understatement to say that UNSC Resolution 1701, adopted on August 11, 2006 in order to end the Second Lebanon War, has been yet another unimplemented United Nations resolution:
The following is Haaretz's article:
Haaretz reports on another glarring example of UNFIL's inability to stop Hizballah from re-arming. It would be an understatement to say that UNSC Resolution 1701, adopted on August 11, 2006 in order to end the Second Lebanon War, has been yet another unimplemented United Nations resolution:The following is Haaretz's article:
Submitted by Brodsky on Sun, 06/08/2008 - 15:21
The Carnegie Endowment has come out with their new recommendations for U.S. Policy in the Middle East. The full PDF of The New Middle East is available HERE.
For those looking for a Neo-Con's guide to Middle East policy, this is not it.
The following is the summary provided by the publisher:
The Carnegie Endowment has come out with their new recommendations for U.S. Policy in the Middle East. The full PDF of The New Middle East is available HERE.For those looking for a Neo-Con's guide to Middle East policy, this is not it.
The following is the summary provided by the publisher:
Submitted by Brodsky on Thu, 06/05/2008 - 12:40
Sometimes the news out of Syria enters the realm of the surreal. Three stories out of Syria broke today and in an effort to maximize a tongue-in-cheek chuckle, let's briefly explore them:
Since becoming an independent nation state in April 1946, Syria has sought to dominate the Middle East and most specifically, their neighbors. Aside from Lebanon, the Palestinians have held a special, hostage-like place in the Asad heart. When the PLO was created by Egypt as a means to control Palestinian destiny, Syria made their own puppet Palestinian organization to compete.
Sometimes the news out of Syria enters the realm of the surreal. Three stories out of Syria broke today and in an effort to maximize a tongue-in-cheek chuckle, let's briefly explore them:Since becoming an independent nation state in April 1946, Syria has sought to dominate the Middle East and most specifically, their neighbors. Aside from Lebanon, the Palestinians have held a special, hostage-like place in the Asad heart. When the PLO was created by Egypt as a means to control Palestinian destiny, Syria made their own puppet Palestinian organization to compete.
Submitted by Brodsky on Tue, 06/03/2008 - 17:12
Consider the following: 17 United Nations resolutions were passed against Iraq during the decade before the U.S.-led invasion. Each failed to alter Hussein's behavior. In fact, calls increased for sanctions to be lifted with Syria and France leading the world in undermining the UN resolutions. Over a decade of efforts failed to alter Iraqi behavior. Arguably, if Saddam had respected the UN weapons inspectors, there would have been no cause for an American invasion.
If one begins with the premise that Iran should not have nuclear weapons, and one hopes to achieve this without a military option, then a decade of feckless and unimplemented resolutions will guarantee Iran nuclear weapons.
In fact, the Iranian regime is counting on it.
Consider the following: 17 United Nations resolutions were passed against Iraq during the decade before the U.S.-led invasion. Each failed to alter Hussein's behavior. In fact, calls increased for sanctions to be lifted with Syria and France leading the world in undermining the UN resolutions. Over a decade of efforts failed to alter Iraqi behavior. Arguably, if Saddam had respected the UN weapons inspectors, there would have been no cause for an American invasion.If one begins with the premise that Iran should not have nuclear weapons, and one hopes to achieve this without a military option, then a decade of feckless and unimplemented resolutions will guarantee Iran nuclear weapons.
In fact, the Iranian regime is counting on it.
Submitted by Brodsky on Tue, 06/03/2008 - 13:08
Adopted: March 2008
“The Security Council,
“Recalling the statement of its President, S/PRST/2006/15, of 29 March 2006, and its resolution 1696 (2006) of 31 July 2006, its resolution 1737 (2006) of 23 December 2006 and its resolution 1747 (2007) of 24 March 2007, and reaffirming their provisions,
Submitted by Brodsky on Tue, 06/03/2008 - 13:03
Adopted: March 2007
“The Security Council,
“Recalling the Statement of its President, S/PRST/2006/15, of 29 March 2006, and its resolution 1696 (2006) of 31 July 2006, and its resolution 1737 (2006) of 23 December 2006, and reaffirming their provisions,
Submitted by Brodsky on Tue, 06/03/2008 - 12:55
Adopted: December 2006
“The Security Council,
“Recalling the Statement of its President, S/PRST/2006/15, of 29 March 2006, and its resolution 1696 (2006) of 31 July 2006,
“Reaffirming its commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and recalling the right of States Party, in conformity with Articles I and II of that Treaty, to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination,
Submitted by Brodsky on Wed, 05/28/2008 - 16:51
Estimates vary on how long it will take Iran to develop nuclear weapons. They seem to center on the belief that it could be within one to three years. While the world and the United Nations stand united in rhetoric alone, nothing effective is being done to curtail the Iranian nuclear program. Even in the United States, there is a great disagreement on the proper path forward with no agreement on the facts and their interpretation.
In order to create and implement an effective policy and plan for contingencies, we must first dispel the myths, focus attention on uncomfortable truths, and finally, devise a strategy and coherent policy.
In order to create and implement an effective policy and plan for contingencies, we must first dispel the myths, focus attention on uncomfortable truths, and finally, devise a strategy and coherent policy.
