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This is not our problem. And it's not obvious why the US would be willing to make a commitment of that level, especially considering the complete failure of similar missions in Lebanon and Somalia. Actually, there's a reason both the Palestinians and Israelis are looking to the US. First, each is hoping that the US will flex its muscles and force the other side to make concessions. You keep seeing that in the news releases, where Arafat "calls on" the US to bully the Israeli Government, and Sharon "calls on" the US to bully the Palestinian Authority. But deep down, they both know that won't happen. Ultimately the solution to this is going to have to come from them, and they're both going to have to give up a lot. That means that each is going to have to go back and face the political heat afterwards for "giving in" to the other side. And that's what shows the difference between a statesman and a politician. Neither of them is willing to sacrifice his career for the greater good of his nation. So if they go into negotiations and make the concessions they know they'll have to, they get voted out. But if they go into negotiations with the US as a third party, then the US can be the bad guy, and Sharon and Arafat can go back to their people and say "I tried, but the US forced me to do this even though I didn't want to! It isn't my fault!" A plague on both their houses. I want no part of this. And I damned well don't want the 10th Mountain Division patrolling an area with a higher per capita civilian ownership of assault rifles than anywhere else in the world. This isn't our problem. (discuss) |
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