If you think the Israeli-Palestine issue is the issue, and the lack of a comprehensive solution, you think wrong. It had nothing to do with Saddam’s oppression, his invasion of Kuwait, war with Iran, gassing of Shiites and Kurds, thwarting of WMD inspectors, or work with terrorist groups. The only thing Hussein had for Israel was a wish for its death and his efforts to carry that out. Militias in Iraq, Shiite and Sunni, have their own concerns about the Iraqi democracy project, Israel is not among them, they are not attacking Israel, they are attacking Iraqis–there’s gratuitous hate for Israel thrown in, sure, but that’s not where their fight is. Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons and sending fighters to and in Iraq because Palestinians don’t like Israel. Okay? Al Qaeda and its affiliates are not fighting in Iraq, blowing up trains in Spain, discoteques in Bali, Tubes in London, and trying to do more and worse because Pales tinians don’t like Israel.

Baker has done this before. When Baker tried to push Israel into negotiations with Palestinians in the early 90s, and Clinton picked up where Baker left off–Arafat came to the White House, Israel gave concessions and sovereignty and guess what? We were still hit on 9/11, Hamas and Hezbollah became stronger, and terrorism against the US and the West took off at an unprecedented rate. It didn’t do any good.

–When Jimmy Carter is full speed ahead on something, it should give pause; and remember, the Iranian Mullahs took American hostages AFTER Israel gave up 90% of the quote unquote occupied land, not before.

–The problem ain’t Israel. And the constant focus on it suggests that our enemies can get us to beat up on our friends rather than confronting the enemies. When confronted by our enemies, the message is: beat up on your friends.

–As for dealing with Iran and Syria. David Ignatius reports today that Iran’s National Security Advisor has said Iran will only help if the US withdraws from Iraq. Now who’s the world leader again here? If we surrender, they’ll help? Neville Chamberlain anyone?