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Nahum Barnea

Looking to Uncle Sam

Any prime minister's visit to Washington underscores Israeli dependency on America

In 18 months time, in November 2008, George Bush will be leaving the White House to make room for the next president. Looking at the calendar this seems like an eternity, yet the American political calendar is much tighter and crueler.

 

With regards to internal issues, Bush is considered a lame duck even now: Facing him are two hostile Houses of Congress that are drawing considerable pleasure in their targeted assassination of every process devised in the minds of the incumbent president's aides.

 

He still has limited leeway pertaining to foreign affairs. His table is collapsing under the weight of problems waiting to be addressed. The most dangerous relate to the Middle East: Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and the Palestinian Authority. Bush is very determined and full of intent with regards to these issues. Unfortunately, he has no idea where to channel his determination.

 

Ehud Olmert is seeking to enter this narrow window. The topic the two will publicly discuss at length will be the fate of the Palestinian Authority. Despite this being a grave problem, it is still a local one. The two will be able to present a united, optimistic front and market it not only as a problem but also as a solution.

 

Mahmoud Abbas, who was barley a partner on probation before the Hamas takeover of Gaza, is now a partner and a protégé. It is doubtful whether we can work with what is left of his authority, but much dialogue can be conducted.

 

No embarrassment

Any visit by a prime minister to Washington underscores the extent of Israel's dependency on the American Administration. Generations of Israelis who were raised on the belief that Israel is capable of protecting itself by its own means (as repeated by David Ben-Gurion and others - Israel will never ask foreign troops to protect it) are now abashedly witnessing Israel's request for American aid. We didn't aspire for this type of dependency.

 

During the Second Lebanon War, for example, Israel found it difficult to manage without an airlift of American bombs. It could barely manage even with those, but the need to call on the American arsenal vis-à-vis a few thousand Hizbullah insurgents was embarrassing. What was even more embarrassing was the obvious ease with which the request was made and the lack of embarrassment evident among the Israeli public vis-à-vis this spectacle.

 

The Iranian problem is on a different scale. In this case there is probably no option other than turning to Uncle Sam. The problem is that Uncle Sam is not in such a hurry nowadays, not with regards to Iran and not with regards to other areas of risk. Uncle Sam's appetite has dropped drastically.

 

There is no problem of appetite here. Defense Secretary Robert Gates voiced his opposition to a military operation even prior to his taking up office. His aides are spreading horrific scenarios pertaining to the price tag the US would have to pay if it decides to embark on such an operation.

 

The US account with Khomeinistic Iran is complex. It began during Jimmy Carter's era, four presidents preceding George Bush. Many Israelis hoped that it would end during the Bush era. The impression – at least during this visit of Olmert's to Washington – is that this hope will be dashed.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 06.19.07, 16:35
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