In sum, Israel should withdraw from the territories, not because it is weak, but because it must remain strong; not because Israel is wrong, but because Zionism is a just cause that the occupation is undermining; not because the Arabs would warmly embrace a smaller Israel, but because a smaller Israel, in internationally recognized boundaries, will be much more defensible; not because it will eliminate Islamic or European anti-Semitism, but because it will reduce it by reducing the daily friction; not because it would mean giving into an American whim, but because nothing would strengthen America's influence in the Muslim world, help win the war of ideas and therefore better protect Israel than this.
As it happens I agree with each of Friedman's points. I have one small problem. Why hasn't he written:
In sum, America should withdraw from Iraq, not because it is weak, but because it must remain strong; not because America is wrong, but because the War on Terror is a just cause that the occupation is undermining; not because the Arabs would warmly embrace a smaller America, but because a smaller America, in internationally recognised boundaries, will be much more defensible; not because it will eliminate Islamic or European anti-Americanism, but because it will reduce it by reducing the daily friction; not because it would mean giving into an American whim, but because nothing would strengthen America's influence in the Muslim world, help win the war of ideas and therefore better protect the United States than this.
Seriously, the Iraq exit is getting to be a mess. The occupation has succeeded this far because of the Kurdish alliance and Shi'ite acquiescence. The second factor is about to run out if Bush continues to ignore the al-Sistani demand for fair elections.
Instead of serious dialogue with the Shi'ite leadership we are getting pabulum like:
Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), who serves on the Armed Services Committee, said he is optimistic the current plan can work, though it could require modification.
"We're going to have to tweak this thing for years," he said. "It's not going to be us walking away July 2, thinking that everything is fine and that the elections are going to be called for and the constitution's going to be drafted and America's going to have no more involvement in this."
How, precisely, will the US continue its electoral tweaking once Iraq is again a sovereign state? By enacting a Platt Amendment?
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