Carpe Diem on Middle East Peace Posted by The Editors

The following post is by the National Security Network's Erica Mandell

Dear Mr. President, it’s time for Middle East peace.  To use your own words, you gotta “keep on at it.”  Don’t let this be a case of simply going through the motions either, like your predecessor, who waited until his last year office to get serious.  It will take strategic preparation and firm commitment on your part.  To sit back and watch efforts fizzle would squander a unique opportunity to have a lasting impact on a global issue.

You’ve been set up perfectly; national security experts like Marc Lynch and William Quandt, as well as military experts and leaders, such as General David Pertraeus and Dennis Ross, have stated in no uncertain terms that resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a priority for American national security.

You said on April 13 that, “it is a vital national security interest of the United States to reduce these conflicts…”

CENTCOM Commander General David Petraeus, in testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 16, explained that insufficient progress towards a comprehensive Middle East peace is of great strategic concern.

“The enduring hostilities between Israel and some of its neighbors present distinct challenges to our ability to advance our interests in the AOR [CENTCOM Area of Responsibility].  Israeli-Palestinian tensions often flare into violence and large-scale armed confrontations.  The conflict foments anti-American sentiment, due to a perception of U.S. favoritism for Israel.  Arab anger over the Palestinian question limits the strength and depth of U.S. partnerships with governments and peoples in the AOR and weakens the legitimacy of moderate regimes in the Arab world.  Meanwhile, al-Qaeda and other militant groups exploit that anger to mobilize support.  The conflict also gives Iran influence in the Arab world through clients, Lebanese Hizballah and Hamas.”

And Dennis Ross, your Senior Director at the National Security Council for the Central Region, said on May 3:

“Countering Iran’s efforts to build its leverage and coercive capabilities in the region is necessary if we are to see a more stable and secure Middle East.  Clearly, one way that Iran exerts its influence in the Middle East is by exploiting the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.  The continuation of the conflict strengthens Iran’s rejectionist partners, Hamas and Hizballah…But I will say that our efforts to advance the cause of peace – something I have dedicated much of my own life to – are in our interests, and the interests of the Israelis and Palestinians.  That is a reality that has been recognized by every administration I have worked in and an objective that we seek today with even greater urgency because the status quo is not sustainable.”

This is your time.  You’ve chosen to demonstrate America’s continued leadership in the world by leading the charge against nuclear terrorism and by making strides on nonproliferation policy.  The successful Nuclear Security Summit, resulting in the international commitment to fight the threat of nuclear terrorism, the New START treaty, and warmed relations with Russia speak for themselves, not to mention your success in bringing China to the table to discuss Iran sanctions.  The beauty therefore, is that a strong, comprehensive move on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would be consistent with your broader engagement policies.

Personally, I favor seeing what might come of an American peace plan, building of course on the agreements of the past.  A third-party plan may side step some obstacles simply because America doesn’t suffer from the same constraints that the parties themselves have to weigh.  The parties’ skepticism of the other side’s intentions, domestic constituencies, and ideological minorities at times keep them from taking actions they would otherwise like to take.

Timing matters.  Marc Lynch makes an important argument on this point.  He cautions that the timing must be right for you to put and American plan on the table.  If we’re not careful and the timing is wrong, the Israelis might say ‘no’ and the Palestinians might ‘wait and see.’  “Presidential intervention is a precious asset,” argues Lynch, and it’s not to be wasted on a situation that may lead nowhere.  That said, he remains sympathetic to those of us who do not want to see another year go by without any further progress.  Lynch acknowledges that, “it should be a major U.S. priority, linked to broader strategic interests across the region.  But I’d hate to see that last card wasted in a poorly conceived roll of the dice.  An Obama speech isn’t going to be enough, so if that’s the play then it had better be set up right in advance.”

So Mr. President, you have your mandate.  Commit to laying the necessary groundwork for a credible push, and in so doing, take ownership of our country’s stake in this conflict.  As William Quandt, who was actively involved in the negotiations of the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, explains, the time has lapsed when we can stand back and hide behind the notion that “we can’t want it more than they do.”  As it turns out, we can, especially when our own interests are at stake.As Quandt puts it:

“If President Obama really believes that Arab-Israeli peace is in the U.S. national interest, he should calmly and forcefully move ahead, spelling out what those interests are to the American public, seeking to mobilize international consensus on the broad principles for peace, engaging all the parties in a sophisticated diplomatic dialogue, and helping each of the major players in the Middle East see what is in it for them if they decide to take the plunge, and what the costs will be of holding back.”

Broadly speaking, leading with clear objectives would enhance America’s continued leadership abroad, and engaging the international community would lend credibility to the effort, much as it has for the fight against nuclear terrorism.  Additionally, progress would further isolate Iran, a major foreign policy objective of both ours and Israel’s, and make the world that much safer for American soldiers and civilians both abroad and here at home. As National Security Network Deputy Director Joel Rubin wrote: 

“The moment is urgent.  American security priorities are being damaged daily by the lack of a resolution to the conflict.  The failure to have Middle East peace undermines American diplomatic credibility in the region, gives an excuse to extremist groups to foment anti-Americanism, and hampers America’s ability to be the guarantor of regional security and stability.”

It’s been said that Middle East peacemaking is not for the faint of heart.  There will be setbacks and little overnight progress. But it is clear that active American involvement is necessary.  Both national security experts and military leaders support your commitment to this issue and your policy of engagement Mr. President.  Now is the time to define and resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a matter of American national security.

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