[Peace-discuss] Update on Israel

[C. G. Estabrook]

Beinin notes correctly that there seems to have been "a momentous policy shift"
in the USG (at least verbally) and indicates its nature by noting that until
recently "Condi had fallen into line behind warmonger-in-chief Cheney on Iran."

But it's more than personal; the Neocons centered in the OVP and the DOJ are
ranged against the Realists (an even less descriptive name than Neocon) in the
DOD and DOS (with crucial support in the uniformed military), and as Borger
notes, the latter "are in the ascendant."

Beinin is also right that "it's too soon to breathe a sigh of relief," but
perhaps primarily for a reason he doesn't mention: the Realists may be now
the more belligerent faction, if not in regard to an attack on Iran (which all
sides seem to be coming to regard as an impossibility -- hence the bluster
of a Benny Morris and a non-binding Congressional resolution), then in
regard to actual existing attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

As Tariq Ali points out in an important summary of USG/Pakistani relations,
"Pentagon hawks ... have, for the last year, been pressuring Bush and Rice to
unleash Special Operations units inside Pakistan...," and agreement may be part
of Rice's conversion; she had no hesitation in trying to stage a coup in Gaza
that the Neocon faction detested (and exposed).

Beinin also doesn't note that this policy is essentially Obama's (perhaps the
reason that the administration is adopting it, noting that BHO's peace plan is
no peace plan) -- so the killing will continue regardless of who's president
next year. --CGE


Brussel Morton K. wrote:
> Joel Beinin, Professor of Middle East History, Stanford University Oakland, 
> CA, July 22, 2008
> 
> Responding to the Israeli voices and actions noisily advocating a preemptive
>  strike against Iran, Ha-Aretz columnist Uzi Benziman (July 21, 2008 
> <http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=z7mbj1LD0oCRsa22KVuPR%2Fui3hCa0aXD>)
>  writes, "Before bombing Iran, it would be best [for Israel] to solve the 
> conflict with the Palestinians. By the way, there does appear to be a link 
> between the two threats" ...