These Regional Briefings run every Tuesday & Wednesday, and sometimes Fridays as well when we have additional material. This briefing covers the "Middle East Roadmap," which means a focus on the conflict between the Arabs & Israel.
Topics include: The financial dimension and importance of the middle class (new material added); Photodude's reality principle; a history of truces with Hamas; Arafat's ties to fundamentalism; terrorist attack statistics; the real weakness of the "Palestinian Authority"; Bush's rhetoric vs. his actions; why international monitors are a non-starter; Condi Rice, Lady of Steel; and Ghaddafi's growing role....
- The key to peace? Judith notes the importance of PA Finance Minister Salam Fayyad and the Palestinian Middle class. An intriguing post, with lots of links.
- Victor Davis Hanson indirectly explains why Israel is going along with this Roadmap: eyes on the prize. Clifford D. May, meanwhile, contrasts Bush's past words and present actions. Ted Belman explains why that discrepancy matters, to a level that may affect Israel's existence.
- Why won't Dahlan and Abu Mazen use force against Hamas, especially if the prize at the end is a Palestinian state? Militarily, it would be no contest. True, says Stefan - which is why this refusal explains so much about the PA's real weaknesses.
- Photodude weighs in with "The Reality Principle." It begins as follows: "In 'Tit for Tat on the Road Map,' I asked anyone to please, point out one shred of hope in the latest Middle East Mess. It was meant as both a cynical challenge and an honest plea, and it has generated interesting comments..."
- Reason of Voice has an excellent roundup of his own, in a 3-way dialogue with Oxblog & Belgravia Dispatch.
- Charles links to a chart of terrorist incidents in Israel over the last few months. It works out to about 100 per week. Isn't a Palestinian state supposed to be dependent on real performance? Of course, we all know LGF is biased... (Hat Tips: Bargarz, but permalink is broken)
- Does this chart include the Al-Asqa Butterfingers Brigade? Just asking.
- Meanwhile, Shark Blog has an excellent list of previous "truces" with Hamas. Given the group's avowedly genocidal aims, it's not hard to guess how things turned out - but Stefan tells you anyway. (Hat Tip: LGF). Meanwhile, Tal G. says that makes perfect sense - if you understand what hudna really means.
- CIA agent Robert Baer notes Arafat's own origins within and long-standing connections to Islamic fundamentalism in these excellent blog posts ("Deep Ties" | Arafat and Hama)
- Does assassinating terrorist leaders make a positive difference? Yes, says this Middle East Quarterly article. Maybe, but not now, says Armed Liberal. I vote with Nikita on this one.
- Speaking of real weakness, Tal G. illustrates why "international monitors" are a non-starter.
- Someone should explain this to the Jordan Times.
- These developments in Lebanon are not encouraging - but they are a logical follow-up to the al-Qaeda activity in Ain al-Hilweh.
- Meanwhile, Lebanon wants the Roadmap to include Lebanon & Syria. Let's. So, what's this I hear about an occupation up there...
- Full MEMRI translation of the Palestinian Authority daily Al-Ayyam article re: Condi Rice: "Beware the Lady of Steel". Darn right - as the South Koreans found out the hard way.
- Of course, someone has to pay for Arafat's bombs besides the EU. With Saddam out of the way, Libya appears to be stepping up its funding of terrorism. I think someone needs to pay Ghadaffi's house another visit... or maybe we'll just send Condi Rice.
- Also on the Intrernational front, Italy's PM thinks the French "missed a good opportunity to shut up" about his recent visit to Israel. Bravissimo!
- I still think this proposed solution is funny.
Gentlemen,
I am looking for the email address of Mr. Robert Baer (Author of "Sleeping with the Devil").
Please help...