To maintain our role as an 'honest broker' we curried the favor of Egypt

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as well as, Jordon, Saudi Arabia and others with a fair amount of monetary and material aid. It used to matter what these Arab nations thought of us and our relationship with our ally Israel.

I wonder how much it matters that these actions by Israel against Lebanon are being strongly opposed by these countries. Also, there is this report which shows Egypt's Mubarak declaring the UN Security Council impotent; the very institution whose agents are in place to manage these relationships and conflicts:

Egypt’s Mubarak says UN “impotent” over Lebanon
(Reuters)

CAIRO - 31 July 2006 --Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said on Monday the UN Security Council had revealed its impotence in its response to Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah, and again called for an immediate ceasefire.

In an address to the nation, Mubarak said the deadlock between Israel and the Palestinians was the core of the problem and so there was an urgent need to revive peace talks.

Mubarak said: “Egypt expresses its regret and annoyance at the failure to reach an immediate ceasefire... The Security Council has failed to deal rapidly and effectively with the Israeli aggression and to fulfil its responsibility for international peace and security.”

“This foot-dragging and impotence reflect the fundamental flaws in the joint defence system which the United Nations represents,” the Egyptian president added.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2006/July/middleeast_July777.xml§ion=middleeast&col=


How much does it matter that these regional actors have lost faith in the international body which is arguably the most prominent vehicle for any negotiated settelment of differences and hostilities?

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1. deep thoughts