|
By Norman Manson
 SAN DIEGO—A thoroughly detailed, comprehensive proposal to change U.S. policy toward the Middle East is the lofty objective of this book by two expert observers and participants in the region's intricate political and ideological web.
But the ambitious plans sketched out by the authors are deeply shadowed by the intransigent, obstinate attitudes of three key players in the region - Iran and its proteges, Hizbollah and Hamas. For without a profound change in the behavior of these three entities, none of the authors' ideas have any chance of coming to fruition.
Still, Ross and Makovsky have explored some very useful concepts, and especially have destroyed a few age-old myths. First, they debunk the widely held idea of linkage - that the
Israeli-Palestinian dispute is linked to all other issues in the Middle East, and that solving it would bring peace to the entire area. They correctly point out that aggressive actions by either Israel or its Palestinian foes have not triggered violent reactions by the other Arab nations. For example, Israel's bombing of a Syrian nuclear site in 2007 evoked not a word of condemnation from the rest of the Arab world.
Also debunked are two opposing positions in the American political spectrum that have been a recurring feature of modern Mideast history. The neo-conservatives (pretty much the key figures in the foreign policy of President George W. Bush) espouse a tough, hard-nosed policy, one which resulted in the Iraq war and and refusal to even talk with Iran. They also have strongly tended to approve Israeli policy regarding the West Bank, Gaza and other controversial issues.
The realists - to whom the authors attach the "so-called" adjective - are ready to talk with Iran and terrorist groups and to pressure Israel to yield on key points in the "peace process." The authors state that the "realists" are in some ways political and ideological descendants of the Arabists who were key State Department policymakers in the 1940s and '50s. They opposed
Go to the top of next column
|
|
recognition of Israel and, later, aid to the Jewish state.
A major thrust of this volume deals with attempts to liberalize the corrupt, authoritarian regimes of the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The authors' projected method of accomplishing this includes discrediting the Islamists who seek a revolutionary new order in the region to be governed by Sharia, Islamic law. They are, it is generally agreed, the greatest threat
to Western, democratic interests, not only in the Middle East but increasingly around the world.
In addition, while they would continue to engage the current regimes, they would work for long-term liberalization, so that the choice would no longer be between corrupt. authoritarian regimes and the Islamist alternative. By exerting pressure for economic and political reform, they would hope the regimes will recognize the need for reform and what they call "true inclusion" and will see that it is in their interest to work with the U.S. toward that end.
While much of the book deals with U.S. relations with the Muslim world, a major segment is devoted to the need for continued strong, close U.S. relations with Israel. The authors refute the idea floated by a number of pundits (the "so-called' realists) that Israel is a drag on U.S. foreign policy and ties with the Jewish state should be cut or at least loosened. They point out that, among other factors, most of the Arab world is quite satisfied to have a strong Israel in their backyard, even if this cannot be expressed publicly. And, if the U.S. should decide to end its pro-Israel policy, what other ally would trust America to keep its commitment?
Finally, it must be noted that Afghanistan is totally absent from these pages. Apparently, the border between Iran and Afghanistan marks the eastern boundary of the Middle East.
While this is technically true, the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, however it plays out, cannot help but impact the situation in the region just to its west.
This is a provocative, thought-provoking book about an age-old problem. It certainly shatters several myths and illusions, but whether it can truly promote peace is certainly questionable. At the moment, the odds seem huge, almost insurmountable.
|
