The Bush Two-Step

Wall St Journal ^ | April 30, 2002

[liberalism=failure]

The ARABS hate us for siding with Israel, so even if we don't, The ARABS are not going to be appeased or let us use their bases--they all got together and said an attack on Iraq was an attack on them all.

The Saudis continue to be the country that may well be the worst for facilitating terrorism, yet we are being dictated the terms of our relationship, when we should be saying, shape up, or we won't buy your oil.

And the principles set forth are being applied hypocritically, instead of being against the terrorists--now there are good terrorists and bad ones. And the states who harbor them, and fund them, can do so without fear of reprisal

I don't think this is clever at all. At best its manipulation that won't work (didn't we all get tired of that over the last 8 years?) and at worst its waffling incompentence.

Bush is still better than ANY demoRat. But a great president, he certainly is not.

[happygrl]

President Bush is also taking a risk with his pledge to allow U.S. and British "wardens" to serve as monitors in the region. Mr. Arafat has always wanted foreign observers as a way to neutralize Israeli defense forces from striking back after terrorist attacks against Israelis. We also hope this isn't a setup for another Beirut Marine barracks disaster.

This is my concern also. All we need is for American and British servicemen to be used as hostages or in other ways be set up to constrain the Israelis.

I have also been perplexed at what Bush is up to. This may well be a very clever two step. If so, this is genius diplomacy.

I doubt that the Israeli/Palestinian conflict will be settled by outside diplomacy. It will happen only when a new leadership arises from the Palestinians.

Real success for Bush's foreign policy will be marked by regime changes in Iran and Iraq.

And then the Iraqis and the Iranians can split Saudi Arabia between them and return Mecca and Medina to the control of the Hashemites in Jordan.

[SJackson]

This is my concern also. All we need is for American and British servicemen to be used as hostages or in other ways be set up to constrain the Israelis.

They were given one to eighteen year sentances. I'm hopeful GWB will have begun to change the facts on the ground in the Middle East a year from now. If not, and if the terrorists aren't released in a year or so, I think that terrorist acts and hostage taking directed at the US and Britain are a certainty.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

MSNBC's Joe John's was gleefully waving this editorial around as proof that GW doesn't know what he is doing. Maybe he received a different editorial, as I think this one is pretty complimentary. By getting the Israelis to agree to release Arafat, Bush has out maneuvered Arafat. I heard awhile ago, that Arafat is balking at leaving. Arafat was safe, as long as he was being "held captive". Now that he is free-he's going to have to watch his back constantly-and I think his biggest threat will be from his own cadre. No matter which course of action Arafat takes, it's going to infuriate some segment and that segment will want his head. More bombings-the Israelis snatch him and he joins Jimmy Hoffa. If he arrests his fellow PLO and makes more agreements with Israel,his days will also be numbered. Arafat has no options left,his best shot was to remain in his compound as a martyr. Bush has just shown Arafat the door and it leads to the gates of Hell.

[Grampa Dave]

Who did you vote for President in 2000, and what would he have done if he was president?

[Mike Darancette]

Either President Bush can't make up his mind, or he is running one of the most devilishly clever Middle East policy acts since Richard Nixon last dined with Henry Kissinger.

I submit that it is the Press and Pundants that can't make up their minds.

[knighthawk]

The US should never send troops there again to guard peace. They are only going to be shot at/bombed by the islamic brigades.

[SJackson]

The US should never send troops there again to guard peace. They are only going to be shot at/bombed by the islamic brigades.

That's a certainty. Especially guarding prisoners with a one year release date. The hostage taking plans are probably being drawn as we speak.

[onedoug]

"I probably side with the latter...."

I want to believe....