Situation in the Middle East

Situation in the Middle East

At this critical time in the Middle East, I believe that when Israel's security is threatened, the United States must unambiguously stand with our ally to be sure that it is safe and secure. On this principle, Americans are united.

But for the first time since Israel's founding, the United States has lost influence and the diplomatic initiative in the region. We can, and must, do better.

The Bush administration strategy has failed in the Middle East.

Unlike previous administrations - Republican and Democratic - President Bush has embraced the wrong priorities in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He missed a great opportunity to exercise constructive leadership at the time when Mahmoud Abbas became president of the Palestinian Authority. And he broke with decades of bipartisan understanding that it was the American responsibility to hold down active hostilities in the Middle East so that talking and diplomacy would be possible.

Senator Ribicoff often made the point that it was in Israel's interest to have as its ally a powerful United States, able to deal with all the nations of the Middle East and respected by them all. When the Bush administration broke precedent with American foreign policy, and invaded Iraq without our allies, without U.N. support, without understanding the unintended consequences, and without an exit strategy, it left us bogged down in Iraq, with little respect and no credibility. We lost focus on a far more important matter: achieving a peaceful settlement of disputes between Israel and its neighbors. That break with traditional American foreign policy is at the center of our problems in the region today.

The Middle East is far less secure because of our war in Iraq. Lebanon is again part of the battlefield. Syria and Iran are in position to broaden the conflict. The situation is becoming more unraveled. Ours is a failed foreign policy that is producing disastrous results.

The Iraq War Has Far-Reaching Consequences

In making its case to invade Iraq, the Bush administration made exaggerated claims about the effect of the war on the politics of the region.

The administration said that one consequence of the Iraq war would be to create a cascade of democracies in the region that would promote peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. That tragically naïve view has contributed to the open conflict going on right now, and the diminution of our influence in the region.

Let's be clear that Bush emphasized Iraq at the expense of an Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement, and we are reaping the consequences. Just think what the situation could have been if the United States had invested its power, prestige, and resources in a peace settlement. Instead we chose a failed war and stand virtually alone, paying a heavy price for a profoundly failed set of decisions.

Lamont Policy: Change Priorities and Pursue a Peace Settlement

All Americans want the kidnapped soldiers to be returned and this cycle of violence to end, based on the principles of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559 of 2004, which calls for Hezbollah militias to be disbanded and disarmed, with the government of Lebanon taking full control of all of its territory. It is not for the United States to dictate to Israel how it defends itself. Nor is it my place to make tactical recommendations to the president. But I do have some strategic suggestions about what our country should do moving forward.

After the fighting stops, the President needs to reengage in this part of the world and work on a peace settlement and a response to the humanitarian concerns in Gaza and elsewhere. We should not seek to impose a resolution on Israel. But peace between Israel and its neighbors must be a priority.

Without negotiating with terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, President Bush and the Secretary of State ought to be working on a peace settlement with Israel, the Palestinians and others who might help. The outlines of a peace agreement are there; both sides agree: land for recognition, peace and security.

Other Presidents have made progress in this difficult region. There's no reason why this President should not reverse course and become engaged for peace.

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