Regular readers of my column will agree that there are few times when I applaud this president.  I still believe that much of this administration’s disastrous foreign policy will take years, and maybe decades to clean up.  With that said, I do believe that there are actually some signs of hope.  The issue where I believe president Bush deserves at least some credit and  and further support is the upcoming Arab Israeli summit taking place in Annapolis this Tuesday.  I was further encouraged by the recent announcement by Syria that it would join in the talks.  It plays an important role due to its relationship with Hamas.  The fact that the Bush administration is finally coming around to the thinking that it is important to talk both with your friends and with your enemies is certainly a step in the right direction. 

President Bush and the neocons came into office with the desire to reform the Middle East through force.  The neocons predicted that a victory in Iraq would serve as a strong foothold for US interests and for democracy in the region.  Clearly this has not happened.  While there is no magic bullet to solving the Middle East’s conflicts which are fueled by religious differences, historical animosities, and oil, I believe that making progress in identifying and implementing a viable two state solution in the region is one of the most important contributions the US can make to the future of the Middle East. 

Martin Indyk, former US ambassador to Israel, had an interesting take on things in an NPR interview, when he argued that in fact that it is precisely because of the rise of Shia Iran that more of the actors in the region are willing to come to the table to negotiate.  Although certainly not the predicted outcome of America’s misadventure in Iraq, it is important that we take advantage of this situation to bring the key actors to the table.  Condoleeza Rice, has made it her mission to do so.  Now that the neocons, who had regularly sidelined Powell’s efforts to reengage with the process, are weakened, Rice has been given much more latitude and support from the President.  I still question the degree to which the President is personally committed to the process.  However, I believe he must be given credit for allowing Rice to take on this issue.  The degree to which he personally engages remains to be seen.  He’s not a natural negotiator on such issues, but I’m encouraged that he has now acknowledged the importance of the US playing an integral role in this process.  Even if he plays a more figurehead role and lets Rice do the heavy lifting, that’s better than the situation we were in during the past several years. 

Perhaps, in fact, the Bush administration did actually learn a thing or two from the Iraq Study Group, which argued that “there must be a renewed and sustained commitment by the United States to a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace on all fronts….”  Although skeptics at places such as the Heritage Foundation attacked the premise that somehow peace in Iraq had any relationship with the Arab-Israeli conflict, it has become more and more clear to many people that this continued conflict is the lens through which many in the Middle East see the United States…. in addition to the Iraq lens.  Although the Bush administration has been selective in its adoption of Iraq Study Group recommendations, I am encouraged that finally, it seems to be coming around on this vitally important one. 

So, what is the way forward now?  The Roadmap for Peace set forth by the quartet lays the groundwork for the agreed upon framework and necessary steps.  With the rise of Iran many influential countries are seeing that it is in their own interest to get involved.  What so frequently is missing is both political will and leadership.  Hopefully, now Israel, the Palestinian authority, the US, and the other influential countries in the region will exhibit the political will to move to the next level.  Of course the question remains as to whether or not Hamas will be able play a spoiler role. 

A bipartisan group of former foreign policy officials, many of whom also serve on the PSA Advisory Board, released a letter to the president that outlined important steps that should be taken.  One of the things that the statement stressed was the need for this summit to result in real changes in the lives of ordinary Israelis and Palestinians.  My fellow blogger, Jonathan Wallace, was right to point out that we must be careful not to unduly raise expectations.  However, at the same time, it is important that some concrete changes be made in living conditions and security that residents will be able to see themselves.  The one thing all the leaders involved (Abbas, Bush, Olmert) have in common is very weak public support – not the best position from which to be negotiating.  It will be critical, therefore, to show some tangible results for all those involved in order to boost support for these efforts. 

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