[Peace-discuss] Obama's FP expert...

[C. G. Estabrook]

[...is the awful Samantha Power, formerly on the faculty of the Kennedy School 
at Harvard (where even undergraduates know that the K-School, with a few 
exceptions, is a joke).  Here's a sketch, heavy with subtext, from Shmuel Rosner 
of Haaretz. --CGE]


...She doesn't claim that the NIE is correct, but rather that the international 
community is using it to fend off Bush on the Iranian issue. And lest there be 
any doubt: "I do not underestimate the threat that is Iran." Her objective - 
Obama's objective - is "to neutralize Iran."

Iran is one of the items troubling Israel supporters who scrutinize Obama's 
positions. The former Israeli ambassador to Washington, Danny Ayalon, demanded 
that the candidate explain what he means to gain by meeting Iran's president, 
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Power volunteers to do so. "Do people have the right to be 
worried? Of course," she says. Just so long as they portray accurately what we say.

With regard to Iran: "Reasonable people can agree or disagree on the issue of 
meeting with Ahmadinejad," but here's what she thinks: The chance of persuading 
Ahmadinejad may not be great, but it is worth examining, and a meeting "will 
increase the chance for mobilizing international sanctions, because the world 
will be reminded that Ahmadinejad is the problem," not America as many now believe.

...In the interest of brevity, here, in a nutshell, are several more of Power's 
positions: Immediate and intensified involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian 
peace process. It has to be resolved first of all for the benefit of the parties 
involved, but also to preevent "cynical Arab leaders" from exploiting the 
conflict as a tool for justifying their policies.

She thinks that the talks between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian 
President Mahmoud Abbas are being held "in good faith."

Asked who is to blame for there being no agreement yet, Power says there is no 
point expanding on that, but emphasizes that "I've never blamed Israel for the 
failed talks" (at Camp David). But precisely how should these talks be handled, 
and what should the goal be? She's no expert on that, she says, and suggests 
calling Dan (Shapiro), the campaign's adviser on the Middle East, or Dennis 
(Ross), who also advises Obama (advises - but is not an adviser).

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/rosnerBlog.jhtml?itemNo=957778&contrassID=25&subContrassID=0&sbSubContrassID=1&listSrc=Y&art=1