"Middle-East Crisis" "War Imminent?" "Violence Escalates" These are the current international news headlines. What is happening? How did the United States let it get to this? What on earth could account for the events there that are so out of control? What did the United States do or fail to do that helped lead up to the current headlines?
Thoughtful people, experts and pundits are asking the same questions. For example, Thursday night on Larry King Live, former Senator George Mitchell said that a focus by the administration on the crisis is "long overdue." His is probably the understatement of the year. . . and my sentiments exactly!
This is what happened, in my opinion:
- Lack of understanding - The current administration misread the extreme radical jihadi movement within the larger context of Islam. They lacked a sense of history, of geography, of proportion, or of priority. The phrase "war on terror" is a prime example.
- Ineptitude- The current administration has been hampered by our current president's lack of foreign policy experience, by poor leadership at several levels in the executive branch, and by its adherence to neocon dogma. That dogma disproportionately favors Israel, for example. Discontinuance of the misguided "neocon way" is long overdue.
- Short-sightedness - The war in Iraq became such a consuming focus for the current administration that everyone lost sight of the bigger picture in Middle East. A regional focus is essential now; it is not just one country.
- Arrogance - Beginning with the events of 9/11/01, the administration adopted too much of a "go-it-alone" foreign policy, insulting and cutting out so many countries that could be helpful now. It is a long overdue challenge now to turn that policy around.
- Stubbornness - The widespread U.S. policy of refusing to talk with countries with whom we have major differences makes no sense. It just reinforces tendencies on all sides to go for their weapons. Skillful diplomacy is long overdue.
- Abuse of power - the current administration has operated far too often outside of the rule of law, and outside of the traditions of who we are and what we have about as a member of the family of nations. We are overdue for true integration into international bodies that can settle differences peacefully.
The news is not good - The U.N. Security Council is currently unable to contribute to de-escalating the crisis. The Guardian Unlimited reports on yesterday's U.S. veto of an Arab backed resolution, put forward by Qatar, condemning Israel for a "disproportionate use of force," and demanding their withdrawal from Gaza. Quoting from the story,
The US was alone in voting against the resolution. Ten of the 15 security council nations voted in favour, while Britain, Denmark, Peru and Slovakia abstained. The US has periodically used its veto to block resolutions critical of Israel. The last council veto, in October 2004, was cast when the US blocked a resolution condemning another Israeli operation in Gaza."Israel steps up Lebanese strikes" is the BBC News headline this morning. Quoting the article,
The draft was reworked repeatedly to address concerns that it was too biased against Israel. Language was added calling for the release of an abducted soldier and urging the Palestinians to stop firing rockets at Israel.
Nonetheless, US ambassador John Bolton said it was still unacceptable because it had been overtaken by events in the region - including the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah militants on Wednesday - and was "unbalanced". "It placed demands on one side in the Middle East conflict but not the other," Bolton said. "This draft resolution would have exacerbated tensions in the region."
Israel has intensified its attacks on Lebanon as jets launched fresh strikes on Beirut airport, the road to the Syrian capital and a power plant.With all that has happened with the current administration - its ignorance, ineptitude, short-sightedness, arrogance and stubbornness - it is hard to see how they will succeed in keeping the lid on the crisis in the Middle East.
The Israelis concentrated on the southern suburbs of the city, known to be a
stronghold of Hezbollah militants.
The offensive, which has killed more than 50 Lebanese civilians since Wednesday, follows the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah.
The escalation has sparked international calls for restraint.
Cooler, wiser heads are needed. The only answer, it seems to me, is for the administration to widen its circle of power to include the active help of former U.S. leaders, and the help of other nations in coming to a peaceful settlement of the Middle East crisis.
The latest headline in this fast-breaking story is from CNN "Lebanese Leader Calls for Cease Fire." Have we turned the corner? It remains to be seen. To quote from the story:
As the crisis entered its third day, Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora met in Beirut with ambassadors from the United Nations Security Council and spoke with President Bush by telephone, the prime minister's office said.Tags: Middle East foreign policy Bush Administration Israel Lebanon current events terrorism political
According to a statement from Siniora, "President Bush affirmed his readiness to put
pressure on Israel to limit the damage to Lebanon as a result of the current military action, and to spare civilians from harm," The Associated Press reported. The Bush administration did not comment on the conversation.
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