In the Middle East Peace at Hand
February 14, 2010
Reasons for optimism are always hard to find in the Middle East. Reasons for pessimism always abound. Constantly, the air is filled with rumors of war and the tendency to expect the worst is strong. Headlines incessantly state that Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Al Qaeda, you name it, have been arming and re-arming, preparing for the next round, scheduled for this summer, or winter or fall. Steadily, if one would believe the media, the Israeli government establishes more settlements in the West Bank, blocks additional roads to Palestinians with barriers and checkpoints, and builds a higher wall. As clash follows clash and each attack is followed by retaliation, a perception of perpetual motion towards disaster sets in, a sense that no good can ever come out of this blighted region.
Is this pessimistic perception realistic or is it a routine, conventional way to draw our surroundings in dark colors?
My next book’s name is: In the Middle East Peace at Hand and in my next posts I’ll try to convince you that it really is. In the meantime any response would be welcomed.
Michael Karpin
February 14, 2010
123 try!
January 29, 2010
This is the first post on my new blog!
