The Obama Administration may have to be a bit less "grandiose" in dealing with Netanyahu's irredentist government. It should start by putting a hold on all economic and military aid to Israel; the aid should not be discontinued, just held, for a nice long review until the Netanyahu government comes to understand that Jerusalem must be the capital of both Israel and Palestine, and that if you actually want peace, you don't build illegal settlement colonies in the Palestinian capital.
I'd also suggest Time's article on the succession issue in Egypt, as well as the tragic news that Pabst Blue Ribbon is up for sale.
Middle East Clarity Joe Klein Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009
Over at the Commentary blog, Max Boot has made the Neocon-Likud position on peace talks fairly plain: the effort on the part of the Obama Administration to convince the Israelis to freeze all settlements has been "nonsense." And while I agree that the Obama negotiators have been naive and incompetent in dealing with Likud intransigence, it's also clear that if it's "nonsense" to ask the Israelis to stop building settlements in East Jerusalem--universally recognized as Palestine's capital in a two-state solution (except by the Neocons and the Likudniks)--then the Netanyahu government isn't at all interested in peace.
Boot calls it "grandiose" for American diplomats to ask our Israeli allies to negotiate a peace deal that will guarantee Israel's right to exist within internationally recognized borders. But then, it must be that Ehud Barak (who actually negotiated such a deal, stymied by Yasser Arafat), Ariel Sharon (who created a new political party because he found Likud's unwillingness to part with conquered territory to be short-sighted) and Ehud Olmert (who, if he weren't involved in corruption scandals, might have sealed the deal with Mahmoud Abbas)--that is, three of the last four Israeli prime ministers--were "grandiose," too.
It is in the best interests of the United States for the Israelis to make this deal. It is also in the best interests of the Israelis. The Neocon-Likudniks have neither Israel's nor our best interests at heart. Boot is right: The Obama Administration may have to be a bit less "grandiose" in dealing with Netanyahu's irredentist government. It should start by putting a hold on all economic and military aid to Israel; the aid should not be discontinued, just held, for a nice long review until the Netanyahu government comes to understand that Jerusalem must be the capital of both Israel and Palestine, and that if you actually want peace, you don't build illegal settlement colonies in the Palestinian capital.
4 comments:
The real story with Pabst is that it is a beer in label only. The myth has exploded and the truth is out there for all too see. The Chicago based company is a marketing front and Coors in Canada is mixing the brew. Sad. It is like the Saturn car company. Their last car they made was over five years ago and was called the ION. They discontinued that model and everything else they sold subsequently was just another GM car simply labeled Saturn. When GM chose to close down the Saturn company, all they really did was stop making labels. A deal to keep the label alive by selling it to Roger Penske folded. Now you get your "Saturn" fixed at Chevy dealers. So, what is Pabst beer REALLY?
Egyptian politics must be very scary indeed. It would make me nervous living there, particularly in some neighborhoods of Cairo and some outlaying towns, come the next election cycle. The Muslim Brotherhood certainly isn't fond of the Mubarak dynasty and the feelings are mutual. The Brotherhood, correct me if I am wrong, was part and parcel of the assassination of the former president, Mr. Sadat. I may be wrong on that. It could be that that is what Mr. Mubarak and his government want you to believe. Propaganda. However, I know the brotherhood is pretty strict and old fashioned when it comes to interpretations of the Koran and Hamas is their step child. I don't think they have a view towards modernity, which is bad for everyone, particularly women.
It is fun to see photos of Muslim women and their trials balancing their respect for their over all culture with their desire to be freed from the cult like oppression of old line Islam. The Turkey theological papers would be interesting to see and understand. That they are suggesting that some Suras and or sentences in the Koran are illegitimate is a pretty "radical" approach and The Muslim Brotherhood would certainly have something to say to that. Andrew, the bravest of all people are not "Scottish Warriors" (ala Mel Gibson). The bravest people are "WOMEN!" Don't try to debate me on that.
Haha, I must say I have a strange taste for PBR
In terms of Egyptian politics, I hope I can be here when Mubarak Senior dies... it is the opportunity of a lifetime for Egyptians, and unfortunately I think it will pass them by, as the mechanisms of security and authoritarianism have been firmly in control for decades.
As for Sadat's murder, it was not the Muslim Brotherhood, the assassin was associated with the Islamic Brotherhood. The Brotherhood is actually one of the most moderate Islamic groups in the current era. They renounced violence over three decades ago and have not gone back on that promise even once. Check out their English website, there is a wide diversity of thought within the group, and members are generally free to express their own views. They are a far cry from Hamas, Hizbollah, al-Qaeda or any of the other catchphrase Islamic groups, so much so that they have been condemned by these groups for being too moderate.
I've met with members of the Brotherhood, both in DC and in Egypt. Some of them impressed me, others did not, but the young generation of Brothers slowly taking control as the old guard dies is impressively modern and in support of democracy, greater rights for women and minorities, and firmly against corruption and nepotism. Their actions have generally supported their rhetoric, which to me is one of the most impressive parts of their stance.
Their English site is: www.ikhwanweb.com It is worth checking out.
Sorry, it wasn't the Islamic Brotherhood, it was the "Islamic Group" with no connections to Muslim Brotherhood
Thank you for the information. I will look the website up.
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