The Troubling Justification for Mideast Actions

When did the protection of Israel from threats become the de facto basis for US policy in the Middle East. Based upon rhetoric from the Administration as well as that of prominent members of the Senate, one would assume that Israel is the 51st state.

It should be noted that Israel is a sovereign state, one that does not hesitate to pursue its foreign policy ends whether or not its actions are consistent with the interests of the US. Moreover, it is often our interests dovetail with that of Israel. That said, I emphatically and categorically reject the notion that US and Israeli interests are one in the same. I also strenuously reject the notion that the protection of Israel is a duty of the US government. I am not attacking Israel nor minimizing its importance to the US as an ally, but I do know that US policy and Israeli policy are not one in the same, not by a long shot. The US government's duty is to US citizens not the citizens of allies irrespective of the strength of certain lobbies.

Augmentation

Euphemisms ruled today while Secretary of State Rice was subjected to a panini grill during her testimony on the Hill today. It was the most painful Congressional testimony to watch since Bobby Kennedy grilled alleged members of Cosa Nostra. She got no quarter whatever, the "surge" isn't an escalation it's merely an augmentation. Unfortunately, the political tsunami brewing within the body politic appears ready to subsume the Administration Iraq policy. Secretary Rice was combative as she was battered about by Senators of both parties. The nonsensical horseshit sold by this Administration is being recognized for what it is - horseshit.

The dismissive tone of the Administration, the "we know better, so just do what we say," has run its course. That day has past. The Iraq policy has been such a disaster that unwinding it almost definitionally willbe a disaster. I don't pretend to have the answer, but what is clear is that the US can not want a stable, inclusive Iraq more than the Iraqis do. As distasteful as it is to many, I believe a multi-lateral approach involving the other players in the Middle East may be the best option.