How challenging is the Middle East environment now being confronted by Barack Obama’s newly-minted envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell? Today we offer two perspectives from the French, who know a thing or two about the intrigue and intractability of diplomacy in the region. The first, an editorial from Les Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alsace of northwestern France, highlights the unfortunate legacy of President Bush’s efforts and the perceived failure of the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
After explaining how the most recent Gaza war has isolated Israel from its erstwhile Arab allies [Turkey, Saudi Arabia], the Les Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alsace warns in somewhat dire tones:
“The terrorist Hamas has come out the political winner of this war, the military goals of which have not been met. … President Obama is confronted with a disaster. Even if Washington’s support for Israel will never be in doubt, the Bush era, with its blank checks to successive Israeli governments, is over. Meanwhile, the entire peace process that the United States led must be rebuilt – with a new willingness to treat Israelis, Palestinians and their Arab neighbors on an equal footing.”
Somewhat more optimistically and with a sense of excitement at the possibilities at hand, Le Figaro’s Pierre Rousselin writes in part:
“The change of tone Barack Obama has initiated in the Middle East will be tested as early as this week, with the first mission to the region undertaken by George Mitchell, the U.S. president’s special envoy. … When in 2007, an agreement had been reached between Fatah and Hamas, it was torpedoed by Washington. Some months later, this led to the seizure of power by the Islamists in Gaza. This time, the United States can play a more constructive role. … George Mitchell arrives in the Middle East today. European envoys are already there. Let the grand diplomatic maneuvering commence.”
Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace, France: In the Middle East, Obama ‘Confronts Disaster’
EDITORIAL
Translated By Kate Davis
January 23, 2009
France – Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace – Home Page (French)
Among the many foreign policy challenges confronting Barack Obama, the question of the Middle East [Israelis and Palestinians] is as much a priority as the American withdrawal from Iraq or the fight against Islamic terrorism. All of these pressing issues are linked by an Gordian knot of hate that conflates Israel, the United States and the West in general. Palestine, which is undefined in a geographic sense, serves as a pretext for all forms of extremism, from Hezbullah to Hamas and including various splinter groups. All under the orchestration of the grand organizer, Iran.
Le Figaro, France, The Mideast and Obama: ‘Let the Grand Diplomatic Maneuvering Commence’
EDITORIAL by Pierre Rousselin
Translated By Sandrine Ageorges
January 27, 2009
France – Le Figaro – Original Article (French)
The change of tone Barack Obama has initiated in the Middle East will be tested as early as this week, with the first mission to the region undertaken by George Mitchell, the U.S. president’s special envoy.The war Israel launched against Hamas three weeks before his inauguration has forced Barack Obama to address the issue without delay. Gone are the years when the United States, without reacting, could allow Israelis and Palestinians to exhaust themselves in conflict. We are back to the days of James Baker or Henry Kissinger, who, in his time, shuttled between Jerusalem and the Arab capitals to advance the peace process. And this, despite the existence of other burning questions for the White House, such as the economic crisis, disengagement from Iraq and the war in Afghanistan.
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