[24 May 03, to N&O]

Imperial Adventures and The Quartet Peace Plan

Sami A. Halaby

 Raleigh, Recently, a rather revealing conversation took place with an acquaintance. It explored the notion that the US has assumed the mantle of the British Empire in the Middle East. Like most patriotic Americans, this man found the notion offensive. My thoughts at the time was if a man as educated and worldly as he, would be in denial, and hence able to subscribe to the altruistic and creation myths of the United States, what chance would there be in persuading others of its veracity. It might be worthwhile, never the less, to analyze our policies in the Middle East without the myths, the black propaganda and spin that we daily encounter to rationalize it. Undoubtedly, our Imperial adventure will affect our lives both domestically and abroad so that it’s important to be clear about it. More specifically let us look at the recently published the quartet road map and the machinations associated with its implementation. As a basis for analysis let us examine the aims of the main protagonists to the conflict

 Increasingly after the collapse of the Soviet Union our Republic is being transformed into an Empire. Our government, the first protagonist, is no longer bashful about working its will by force of arms. Whereas in the past our diplomacy has been directed at preventing the Soviet Union from getting access to warm water ports, now its considerably more proactive. It wants complete control of the Middle East, which it considers an area of vital interest. Of course, this is done for the best of altruistic Imperial reasons. The justification is liberation or democratization of so called failed countries or backward people. Because of a reluctance to explode myths, these policies were applied through proxies such as Israel or autocratic puppets such as in Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait or Saudi Arabia. Now the operative model is more direct control. Military occupation is no longer out of the question since it can be easily justified to the US public as in Iraq.

We see our vital interest is access to resources and access to free markets for our goods and services. The United States is the primary supplier of armament to that part of the world. The money involved is staggering and balances amounts expended to acquire natural resources. We provide military aid (Egypt and Israel) expecting to sell much more commercially. Old timers who lived through the British Colonial era expect Westerners to first send their gun boats and armies to liberate, conquer and destroy. Afterwards, sending humanitarian assistance and commercial interests to pacify and rebuild follows. It is no surprise that this sounds painfully familiar today.

 The Second Protagonist is the Likud Government with an ultra nationalistic Zionist ideology whose ultimate agenda is the colonization of all of historic Palestine. Their cardinal imperium is maintenance of a majority non-sectarian Jewish State at all cost. This has worked brilliantly largely because starting with Nixon and Kissinger, a strategic alliance and a dependence on the United States have been very successful nurtured by both sides. The bargain is that Israel is kept militarily capable of defeating all its neighbors so long as it secures our interests. Its going to be interesting to see what happens to this alliance of convenience when proxies are no longer needed because direct involvement is more acceptable.

 The next group of protagonists is the Arab and Muslim Countries. Their sole interest is Jerusalem and the Islamic Holy Places. They have only marginal interest in the political welfare of the Palestinians. It should be added that the West is no longer interested in protecting the Christian Holy places. The interest in this case is more worldly than spiritual and besides such an excuse no longer arouses popular passion.

 The last and weakest protagonists are the Palestinians. Their goal is to invoke the right of return and self-determination. They wish to end the occupation and achieve a modicum of remediation for the loss of their homes and land.

 In light of these conflicting goals the quartet map is doomed. Like the multi-staged Oslo it will not work. Also, implementation is largely dependent on the political will of George Bush and subject to Israeli’s historic proclivity to stall. After all, Sharon has been provided with both a dominant military machine with unlimited call on US treasure and resources. His ultra nationalistic ambition has not been quenched and he has very little incentive to compromise. It is not in George Bush’s political interest to vigorously insist on implementing the provisions of the plan as his political base appears to be opposed. The Arab and Muslim countries are in disarray and are unable to force compliance. The Palestinian authority is not in control of either its people or territory and it is unrealistically expected to safeguard Israel’s and the settler’s security by controlling the Palestinian population. Finally, and perhaps most importantly the quality of leadership on all sides is quite mediocre and statesmanship is not in evidence.

 Sami A. Halaby is a Palestinian American Scientist who came to the United States in 1951. This Op Ed is a summary of his comments to a Panel held by Balance & Accuracy in Journalism, at the Community Church in Chapel Hill on May 14, 2003.