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(An Eschatological Perspective)
By Doug Krieger
The original vulgarity was bylined: The Constipation of Americas MidEast Peace Policy!
It is with some trepidation that I embark upon this discourse; for one out of respect for elephants but more so because within the American framework of democracy I have so greatly benefited. Thus to liken the extension of Americas efforts to democratize the civil administrations of Moslem stateseven with the caveat considering cultural sensitivitiesto the intestinal hardships of our beloved pacaderm is in itself cause for internal consternation reflection and a longing for interior relief.
STUNT OMNES UNUM
The current administrations mascot bears some responsibility for the chosen political metaphor; however it must be duly noted that this article could just as well be entitled: Asinus asinorum in saecula saeculorum! (Latin for: The Jackass of Jackasses in the Centuries of Centuries or The Greatest Jackass in Eternitythis and other Latin expressions in honor of Pax Americana will be duly sprinkled throughout this missive)giving equal honors to both dominate American political parties for their extended efforts at peace in the Middle East for: Stunt omnes unum . . . they are all one!
Indeed by giving credit to where credit is due we must keep in mind that the commonality of purpose to secure Americas interests in the Middle East and ipso facto the Wests energy spicket via propping up its Islamic dictatorships or hastening the democratization of the region is the continuous policy of both Democratic and Republican State Departmentsmake no mistake about it.
The Democrats differ only in the design of a better mouse trap and have no right to cast their stones of dispersion from their glass palace at the failed policies of the GOPpolicies now garbed in democratic hyperbole.
WELCOME TO THE THEOLOGICAL CALDRON
Peace in the Middle East! Better yet: What is the current administrations MidEast Peace Policy Road Map to Peace Peace Process It is prudent though policy makers would dearly extract this fixation from the debate the theological implicationsMoslem Jewish and Christianfrom this conundrum of conundrums and why specifically Jerusalem (has become) a cup of trembling (i.e. reeling or drunkenness) to all the surrounding peoples . . . a very heavy stone for all peoples . . . though all nations of the earth are gathered against it (Zechariah 12:23)
The Biblical metaphor of reeling and drunkenness is actually the physical reaction of a person who trembles after imbibing a poisonous potion. You drink of this venom; you immediately go into radical convulsions with one destination in view: death!
Initially so it appeared our Presidents socalled lack of a coherent MidEast peace plan at the commencement of his administration both mystified and concernedsooner or later he too would be compelled to deal with this Middle East tar baby. Could you blame himgrasping this cup of trembling portends incessant disappointment and worse yet staggering political liability with prurient involvement leading toas we now bemoanintractable conflict.
Yet the greatest Consuming Nation ever to countenance the planetfueled by the mercurial petroleum moleculewould inevitably be sucked into this black hole whose exit strategies escape all nations.
EXTOLING OUR VIRTUESPLAIN VANILLA
Nothing like pontificatingi.e. extolling our efforts at peace in the region. This was masterfully accomplished by the Council on Foreign Relations Aaron D. Miller at the CFRs Transition 2005: Israel Palestine and the Middle East Peace Process forum in February. Dr. Millera former U.S. State Department official having served six previous Secretaries of State by helping to formulate U.S. policy on the Middle East and the ArabIsraeli peace processconfirmed my original thesis regarding the bipartisan nature of our endeavors at formulating peace in the Middle East; to wit:
The three Americans that have made the most compelling contribution in the history of American diplomacy and there are only threetwo Republican secretaries of state Henry Kissinger James Baker and one Democratic president so it transcends party lines Jimmy Carterall combined those qualities with an acute sense of knowing when to intercede. That is how to do effective American diplomacy. And if in fact we were to succeed again that is an approach that we have to come back to. (Note: Apparently Miller dismisses President Clintons endeavors.)
In any event bipartisan consensus was summed up by political think tank Seeds of Peace president Miller as follows:
(1) President Bush must make the Middle East Peace Process a 24/7 top priorityworking with a diverse team of competent advisors.
(2) Policy must not neglect whats happening on the ground (i.e. realities on the ground integrate with immediate policy).
(3) The U.S. must remain in control of its own policy (i.e. dont let either side Israeli or Palestinian/Arab dictate).
(4) Beware of interim deals but also beware of highrisk efforts to solve this problem quickly.
(5) Combine empathy and trust with toughness to both Israelis and Arabs.
Furthermore avoidance of the black hole is uselessMiller concludes:
If we want to supplement our war against terror further the cause of democratization there is no other issue that would do more to enhance our credibility than the pursuit of this one (i.e. full engagement in the socalled Middle East Peace Process involving Arabs and Israelis).
Safe reasonable intelligent thoughtfulyep just plain vanilla. But the status quo of Dr. Millers world was about to be shaken with the departure of one Collin Powell and the subsequent installation of National Security Advisor now Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!
In this time of great decision I have come to Cairo not to talk about the past but to look to the future a future that Egyptians can lead and define.
Ladies and Gentlemen: In our world today a growing number of men and women are securing their liberty . . .
After all America was founded by individuals who knew that all human beings and the governments they create are inherently imperfect. And the United States was born half free and half slave. And it was only in my lifetime that my government guaranteed the right to vote for all of its people.
Nevertheless the principles enshrined in our Constitution enable citizens of conviction to move Amer