An important side-bar to the Iraq Study Group Report

What will doubtlessly be overlooked - and certainly unlikely be acted on - is the diplomatic recommendation of the Iraq Study Group:

"The United States should:

Begin a new diplomatic offensive to build an international consensus for stability in Iraq and the region. The effort should include every country that has an interest in avoiding a chaotic Iraq, including all of Iraq’s neighbors.

Try to engage Iran and Syria constructively, using incentives and disincentives.

Renew commitment to a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace process, including President Bush’s commitment to a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine."

The third point of the suggested initiative would, if implemented, most probably lead to the lessening of tensions around the world on a range of issues. Of course, the Middle East would be the first beneficiary of some sort of accord between the Palestinians and Israelis.

Sadly, because of the way both political parties view their constituencies in the US, most probably the critical recommendation will evaporate.

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Mahler's Prodigal Son

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