'Myths, Illusions, and Peace'

IMRa/New York Times ^ | July 8, 2009 | DENNIS ROSS and DAVID MAKOVSKY

[SJackson]

Linkage: The Mother of all Myths

Of all the policy myths that have kept us from making real progress in the Middle East, one stands out for its impact and longevity: the idea that if only the Palestinian conflict were solved, all the other Middle East conflicts would melt away. This is the argument of "linkage."

Neoconservatives have always rejected it, given their skepticism about Arab intentions and their related belief that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be resolved. While realists have been the most determined purveyors, this myth transcends all others and has had amazing staying power here, internationally, and in the Middle East. In fact, few ideas have been as consistently and forcefully promoted - by laymen, policymakers, and leaders alike.

One need not look too far for examples of linkage's pervasiveness. Note the words of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak in early 2008 when, standing next to George W. Bush at a joint press conference following their talks in the Sinai resort town of Sharm al-Sheikh, he recounted their conversation: "I emphasize that the Palestinian question, of course, is the core of problems and conflict in the Middle East, and it is the entry to contain the crisis and tension in the region, and the best means to face what's going on in the world, our region - I mean by that, the escalation of violence, extremism and terrorism."

King Abdullah of Jordan made much the same argument during an interview with an American television network in 2006: "I keep saying Palestine is the core. It is linked to the extent of what's going on in Iraq. It is linked to what's going on in Lebanon."

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

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Dennis should tell his boss the facts of life. He hasn't absorbed them despite his experience immersed in Muslim culture

[kindred]

[this myth transcends all others and has had amazing staying power here, internationally, and in the Middle East. In fact, few ideas have been as consistently and forcefully promoted - by laymen, policymakers, and leaders alike.]

This myth will continue to be propagated as God Himself brings the nations of the world to war against His only begotten Son Jesus Christ where Jesus Christ Himself will destroy them on the hills of Zion at the end of the 7 year ordained tribulation as the Scriptures plainly teach us who believe the Scripture only. All the unbelieving nations and peoples will go, they are marked by their hatred of Christ and of His Israel and they also hate bible believing Christians as sure as their master, the evil angel Lucifer, who also hates and intends to destroy Israel and Bible believing Christians and he uses the useful idiots of the world a.k.a., leftists, communists and secular humanists and false religionists as his pawns.
Search the Scriptures and save yourselves from this present evil generation.

[dervish]

Your link is not working.

Here is a link to a NY Times review by Howard French of the Ross/Makovsky book. Quelle suprise! It is a negative review calling the book unbalanced in favor of Israel. Because the NYT firmly believes that terrorists and the only free democracy in the region must be treated equally. After all their children are NOT sleeping in Sderot.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/books/08french.html?ref=books