Editorial: Role in Iraq reduces U.S. Mideast options

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As Israel bombs Lebanese air bases and rockets rain on Haifa, the twin crises stemming from separate kidnappings of Israeli soldiers by Hamas and Hezbollah appear to be escalating. Yet the United States, once the broker of choice, has found its options limited. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called for all parties to act with restraint, and President Bush expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself, but the war in Iraq has complicated America's traditional role as an outside intermediary in Mideast regional conflicts.

In the frustrating days of Presidents Bush I and Clinton, progress between Israel and the Palestinians -- and between Israel and Hezbollah -- was alternately halting, thwarted and occurring, depending on the year and the crisis. But at least a process was being worked, and that showed a good-faith U.S. effort in the region. That's over now, as the U.S. enterprise in Iraq and America's pressuring of Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions combine to cast the United States more in the role of player than diffuser.

Unfortunately, it appears that the neighborhood's bad actors -- namely Iran, Syria and cohorts -- are joining forces to more successfully frame the argument as a pro-Islamist, anti-U.S. and anti-Israel effort. The United States must work whatever diplomatic magic it can to counter this by separating the crises into smaller strands and diffusing them piece by piece.

Where to start the unraveling? The Washington Post's Robin Wright quotes experts who see Iran and Syria's tentacles all over today's crises. "Here you have actors who are basically pariahs who are trying to find their way back in," Robert Malley, director of the International Crisis Group's Middle East program, told her. "They're doing it the way they know best: brinksmanship." Israeli Consul General Barukh Binah said Thursday from Chicago that he thinks Iran wanted to divert attention from its nuclear development program. "They probably ignited or jump-started the situation with Hezbollah," he said.

Star Tribune

[Cocoa]

1. to quote Bush himself

"pathetic" :puke:

[Name removed]

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