Here's a reasoned view of Dodd and Kerry in Syria and the Mideast.

[blm]

http://www.baltimoregroupblog.com/2006/12/14/dodd-kerry-to-talk-with-syria/


Dodd & Kerry To Talk With Syria
Posted by Matt Browner-Hamlin at 8:14 am

Chris Dodd is headed to the Middle East with John Kerry to hold talks with leaders in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine and Jordan. Bush’s State Department had previously blocked this trip, but now, though advising against it, is not stopping it.

Analysts saw the senators’ visit as the start of a possible U.S. thaw toward Syria. White House officials are said to be divided over whether to engage Syria and Iran, so it’s hard to say what the senators’ trip could mean, said Mackenzie Eaglen, national security analyst at Washington’s Heritage Foundation. “It could be purely educational,” she said.

In either case, Dodd and Kerry’s decision to talk with Syria is a diplomatic step that the Bush administration has refused to make. I don’t know what the subject of Dodd and Kerry’s talks with Syria will be, but the Iraq Study Group recommended the US engage Syria and the Bush administration has flatly refused to this point. Dodd and Kerry are both on the Foreign Relations Committee and are clearly showing what Democratic leadership on foreign affairs looks like.

I wouldn’t underestimate the potential for positive steps coming out of this trip. For one, it reminds the governments of the Middle East that the United States, contra Bush, is not George W. Bush. There are profound differences over how the US crafts our foreign policy and not all American leaders think sitting Syria and Iran in the proverbial corner with a dunces’ cap is the best strategy. Presenting a liberal vision for foreign policy with governments that have been shunned by the US for the last few years is a step forward. That said, any progress Dodd and Kerry make will move forward only if the Bush administration is willing to pick up where they leave off.
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[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. This is a great step to take

for the reasons indicated. And if Kerry and Dodd get something started and then Bush refuses to do anything, who is going to look like an obstructionist? Surely Republicans in Congress will decide that maybe some Congressional intervention in the Middle East is a good idea if they wish to keep their seats.

[blm]

2. I think you and Kerry are on the same wavelength. He must be directing this comment to GOPs

from the AP report:

"I think it's important to talk and have dialogue, but you don't give up your principles and you don't make deals that are against your larger interest," Kerry told reporters after talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

"Syria needs to understand that and Iran needs to understand that, but I think it's important to begin a discussion," added Kerry, a Massachusetts senator.

Kerry, who is considering a second bid for the U.S. presidency, cited the example of late President Ronald Reagan calling the Soviet Union "the evil empire" but not hesitating to negotiate with then Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev.
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Now, with almost EVERY GOP saying they want to go back to Reagan Republicanism, Kerry may have pulled a really smooth move here.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. VERY smooth

how can republics say anything bad when the Dems are carrying out the ideas in the ISG book AND quoting St. Ronnie?

[blm]

5. we can only hope - they aren't masters of hypocrisy for nothing.... but...

I think Bushboy has gone even too far for them, at this point.

[bahrbearian]

4. I worry about them over there , we don't need to lose them to a

False Flag.

[blm]

7. I finally 'got' what you meant. Al Assad trusts Kerry alot, so I expect he's

giving him extra protection. This is the third time they have sat down to discuss Iraq and the region since Jan 2005.

[bahrbearian]

8. Aren't they going on to Iraq,,, Blame it on the Mahdi Army

[blm]

9. Ya got me there.... I can't help but worry ANY time Bush needs a 'reason' for

his decisions.

[bigtree]

6. Kerry/Dodd . . . I like the sound of that

my take:

Democrats Determined to Take the Lead Managing Mideast Unrest
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_ron_full_061215_democrats_determined.htm
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2924543

[blm]

10. Good piece, bigtree.

Haven't seen one of your analytical posts in a long while.

[blm]

11. Good piece, bigtree.

Haven't seen one of your analytical posts in a long while.