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The United States as an Honest Broker

[Economist.com-Washington Institute for Near East Policy] Michael Singh - The Obama administration's decision to take a stand on the issue of "natural growth" in settlements was tactically unsound. "Natural growth" is a peripheral issue with little relevance either to Palestinians' quality of life or to the ultimate disposition of territory in the West Bank. The fracas over this issue has stalled the peace process and shifted its focus from Arab-Israeli to American-Israeli relations. According to recent polling, the dispute has already taken a toll, having diminished Israelis' confidence in the U.S. The diminution of that confidence - which former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert recently wrote was vital to Israel's decision to pull settlers out of Gaza and engage in the Annapolis peace process - would not only put in question U.S. effectiveness as an honest broker, but would be a setback for America, Israel, the PA, Arab leaders, and others who face common threats across the region and for whom American-Israel cooperation is of mutual benefit. The test now for President Obama is to maneuver out of the present crisis with that cooperation intact, and with the stage set for progress on the peace process, Iran, and the rest of America's Middle East agenda.
2009-07-29 06:00:00
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