Grim Truths of the Middle East

April 7, 2002

by Christopher G. Adamo

Occasionally in history, an absolutely ludicrous concept - such as the issuance of "multiple life sentences” by our nation’s courts - gains acceptance and even a facade of legitimacy despite the fact that a six-year-old can immediately point out its absurdity. This usually results from the consistently serious treatment of such an inane concept by prominent officials. In the long run however, and regardless of the fervency of anyone’s efforts, the absurdity remains.

Perhaps the most profound recent example of this manner of foolishness is the assertion that Israel should attach significance to any brief period of time without an incident of Palestinian terrorism. Imagine the sort of verbal gymnastics American diplomats and State Department leaders must have had to employ, in order to convince the Israeli Government to accept the premise that seven days without a terrorist attack constitutes some sort of positive milestone on the road to "peace." Are the Israelis, or any reasonable and thinking people in the world, really expected to assume that a busload of murdered school children every eight days is somehow acceptable? Do the advocates of this nonsense honestly believe that from such contrivances a true and lasting peace might erupt?

Among those who have proven themselves dangerously willing to engage in this sort of mindless symbolism in the name of Middle East peace, none is so influential, or so apparently inept, as Secretary of State Colin Powell. Shortly after the horrendous attacks of September 11, Secretary Powell complicated America’s situation immensely by issuing statements in favor of a Palestinian State. Though it is generally believed that he was motivated by a desire to build a coalition of support for America’s “War on Terrorism” among the Islamic nations of the Middle East, the effect has been quite the opposite. Most unfortunately, President Bush eventually embraced such thinking.

While doing little to convince Arab nations of any real commonality with America, this obvious display of weakness and acquiescence succeeded at bringing an element into the entire "War on Terror" effort which caused the United States to completely lose its grasp of the "moral high ground." Prior to the inclusion of the Palestinian element, Muslim nations of the Middle East had virtually no "wiggle room" in the whole discussion of terrorism and how the U.S. should deal with it. As President Bush stated in his speech of September 20, such nations were either with the American people or against them. However, once the Palestinian situation was included in the mix, America’s actions and the support of her "allies" were no longer simply a matter of eliminating the threat of another 9-11, but rather a conglomeration of national security measures and "fairness" with respect to the Palestinians. Not surprisingly, "fairness" would subsequently be defined by the Muslim nations of the Middle East.

Thus, while diligently trying to prosecute the War on Terror, the United States government has simultaneously had to jump through hoops in order to prove its sincerity towards the Palestinians and the rest of the Arab world. It is appalling to see the President attempting to walk a tightrope on their behalf, as is the case with his nonsensical effort to define Yasser Arafat not as the terrorist that he is, but as something more noble, honorable, and even kindred (I guess it all depends on your definition of the word “terrorist”). Despite the fact that President Bush has regularly gone to such lengths, Palestinians along with the majority of the Islamic world, have time and again expressed their overt hostility to everything in Western culture. And in their minds, Western Culture is epitomized by the United States of America. Never should the people of this country forget those cheering mobs in the streets of Gaza, nor the all-too-common polling data, throughout the Middle East, which indicates overwhelming support and sympathy for Osama bin Laden. Among such people, does our government dare to presume it can establish friendship or support?

Taking this situation one step further, it should be realized that once the credibility of the United States can be tied directly to the Palestinian situation, continuing upheaval serves the interests of the Arab nations by keeping this country embroiled in a debacle for which no solution is ever intended. Why else would a country like Iran risk the export of an entire shipload of weapons to the Palestinian Authority at this seemingly inopportune time?

Although the rash of violence in Israel is often referred to as having begun eighteen months ago (perhaps that was the last time the region went for eight or more days without a terrorist incident), it is undeniable that things have worsened considerably since last fall. From that time forward, attacks against Israel have served dual purposes. Aside from their obvious effect on Israel’s Jewish populace, they also further sidetrack the United States from its course of dealing with the perpetrators of 9-11. Of course the nations of the Middle East are content to supply money and arms, providing the Palestinians do all the “dirty work.” For their part, the Palestinians are apparently willing to be exploited in such a manner. But a reasonable and peaceful resolution is not the goal of either party. Rather, it is a dangerous mirage in the minds of hopelessly optimistic American officials.

_________________________________________

Christopher G. Adamo is a freelance writer who lives in southeastern Wyoming with his wife and sons. He has been involved in grassroots political activity for many years. Chris was the editor of the Wyoming Christian from 1994 to 1996, and his columns can also been seen at CheyenneNetwork.com.

Send the author an E mail at Adamo@ConservativeTruth.org.

For more of Christopher's articles, visit his archives.