Friday, July 21, 2006

The “Can’t Shoot Straight Gang” Continues Its Cowboy Diplomacy

A full ten days into Israel’s revenge inspired destruction of democratic Lebanon, Secretary of State Condi Rice will "lay out" U.S. plans for a diplomatic solution to the crisis. Never mind that the U.N. and the rest of the world have been screaming for over a week for a cease fire, followed by intense diplomacy. The Bush team has been in a rush, one that a cease fire just might disturb.

Meanwhile the U.S.’s blocking of international calls for an immediate cease fire is infuriating Shiite leaders in Iraq. Bush might not want to bear hug Mr. al-Maliki during his next visit. He might not get released.

Bush’s acting as Israeli Prime Minister Olmert’s corner man in this fight is a giant withdrawal in his deficit ridden international bank account. Spending what he doesn’t have, never stopped him domestically. Unfortunately it might be the nail in the coffin of U.S. sponsored democracies in the Middle East. It doesn’t mean those countries won’t become more democratic, it just means they will look for another sponsor.

No comments: