Linkmeister

Middle East "solution"

I don't know what to do about the Israeli-Hamas and Israeli-Hizbollah border wars, but I do know what I don't want to do: follow William Kristol's advice.

For while Syria and Iran are enemies of Israel, they are also enemies of the United States. We have done a poor job of standing up to them and weakening them. They are now testing us more boldly than one would have thought possible a few years ago. Weakness is provocative. We have been too weak, and have allowed ourselves to be perceived as weak.

The right response is renewed strength--in supporting the governments of Iraq and Afghanistan, in standing with Israel, and in pursuing regime change in Syria and Iran. For that matter, we might consider countering this act of Iranian aggression with a military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities. Why wait? Does anyone think a nuclear Iran can be contained? That the current regime will negotiate in good faith? It would be easier to act sooner rather than later. Yes, there would be repercussions--and they would be healthy ones, showing a strong America that has rejected further appeasement.

[snip]

This is our war, too.

Just who are Kristol's remarks about American weakness directed toward? After all, his crowd has been in office for six years now, and that Administration has certainly not been "weak" in attempting to project American strength through force in two different countries. We all know where that's gotten us: Iraq's in a civil war and the Taliban is enjoying a resurgence in Afghanistan.

On past performance, if the Administration were to follow Mr. Kristol's advice, why should the results be any better than they have been to date in its other misadventures? What few friends we have left would be horrified, oil prices would go even further through the roof (Iran is the world's fourth largest exporter), and terrorist activities against US bases/embassies abroad would undoubtedly increase.

Greenwald has more.

Posted by Linkmeister at July 15, 2006 01:53 PM | TrackBack