Submitted by Brodsky on Tue, 06/17/2008 - 09:01
What links together the conflicts in the Middle East? Isn't it, afterall, possible to feel especially fascinated by the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, feel obligated to resolve it, believe that it should not be difficult to solve given the public parameters, and not believe it is linked to all other conflicts in the Middle East?
What links together the conflicts in the Middle East? Isn't it, afterall, possible to feel especially fascinated by the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, feel obligated to resolve it, believe that it should not be difficult to solve given the public parameters, and not believe it is linked to all other conflicts in the Middle East?
Submitted by Brodsky on Mon, 06/16/2008 - 11:42
For some reason when the West discusses the Middle East all conflicts are seen as linked together so that the resolution of one will ease the prospects for reconciliation for another. Conversely, one conflict that remains unresolved inhibits the solution of another. This thinking gave birth to the 1990s idea of "Comprehensive Peace." That is an all-encompassing peace that satisfies all parties.
Of course, each Middle Eastern state or actor has a different set of interests so the theory of a comprehensive peace means that specific people or governments will be representing the "greater interest." This is problematic because what is good for the Syrians is not necessarily good for the Palestinians, and the Iranians share a different worldview from Iraq, and so on.
For some reason when the West discusses the Middle East all conflicts are seen as linked together so that the resolution of one will ease the prospects for reconciliation for another. Conversely, one conflict that remains unresolved inhibits the solution of another. This thinking gave birth to the 1990s idea of "Comprehensive Peace." That is an all-encompassing peace that satisfies all parties. Of course, each Middle Eastern state or actor has a different set of interests so the theory of a comprehensive peace means that specific people or governments will be representing the "greater interest." This is problematic because what is good for the Syrians is not necessarily good for the Palestinians, and the Iranians share a different worldview from Iraq, and so on.
Submitted by michal on Sat, 04/26/2008 - 10:46
This article is terrific, from Ari Shavit from Haaretz:
The suicidal left has found itself a new hero: Jimmy Carter. Finally, someone is speaking the truth: Israel is an apartheid state. Finally, someone is exposing justice: Palestinian terrorism is tantamount to the actions of the Israel Defense Forces. Finally, someone is bringing peace: He is welcomed by that modern-day Sadat, Khalid Mashaal.
For the suicidal left, Carter is the good American cop who is replacing the bad American cop and ending the dark era of George Bush. After eight lean years, we once again have a brave Southern sheriff chasing the true villain - Israel. Now, then, we can once again stretch out on the soft sofas of the 1990s divan and suck on a hookah of sweet illusions. As though Camp David never happened. As though Hamas did not exist. Because Jimmy has come home. Carter has brought back hope.
In the spring of 1979, President Carter made history: He led Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat to sign a peace accord. Carter did not initiate the accord. In some of his moves, Carter even jeopardized it. And yet ultimately the former president headed the peace summit and brought Egypt and Israel to the happy ending that they had had trouble reaching by themselves. That glowing hour on the White House lawn is the hour of grace in Carter's failed career in international politics. No one can take it away from him.
For the suicidal left, Carter is the good American cop who is replacing the bad American cop and ending the dark era of George Bush. After eight lean years, we once again have a brave Southern sheriff chasing the true villain - Israel. Now, then, we can once again stretch out on the soft sofas of the 1990s divan and suck on a hookah of sweet illusions. As though Camp David never happened. As though Hamas did not exist. Because Jimmy has come home. Carter has brought back hope.
In the spring of 1979, President Carter made history: He led Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat to sign a peace accord. Carter did not initiate the accord. In some of his moves, Carter even jeopardized it. And yet ultimately the former president headed the peace summit and brought Egypt and Israel to the happy ending that they had had trouble reaching by themselves. That glowing hour on the White House lawn is the hour of grace in Carter's failed career in international politics. No one can take it away from him.
Submitted by michal on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 06:26
Former President Jimmy Carter is continuing to practice for the Olympics of Destructive Idiocy. His upcoming visit to Syria to meet with Hamas terror prince, Khalid Mashal will undermine the U.S., the UN, Europe, Israel and all Arab moderates including Abu Mazen of the Palestinian Authority.
Former President Jimmy Carter is continuing to practice for the Olympics of Destructive Idiocy. His upcoming visit to Syria to meet with Hamas terror prince, Khalid Mashal will undermine the U.S., the UN, Europe, Israel and all Arab moderates including Abu Mazen of the Palestinian Authority. Surprisingly, for over a year the U.S. and Europe have stuck together and managed to isolate Hamas. This alone is an amazing feat because Europe likes to conduct diplomacy with honey and America, with sticks. To have both reading from the same page is an act so amazing it threatens to overtake the previous 2005 gold medalist at the Destructive Idiot Olympics: Syria’s leader Bashar al-Asad who managed to create unity between the U.S. and France when he blew up Rafiq Hariri in Lebanon and sparked the now-fizzled “Cedar Revolution.” Jimmy Carter is sure to surpass Asad’s record for public stupidity this week because he’s had decades longer to practice.
