Petraeus Talks to Arab Press About Israel/Palestine « The Washington Independent
Jul 31, 202076.3K Shares5M Views
In advance of President Obama’s long-awaited address to the Muslim world in Cairo on Thursday, the administration appears to be seeding the public-diplomacy bed. I can’t read Arabic, but my friend Marc Lynch can, and here’s how Marc puts it in the course of a longer (and quite valuable) postabout Obama’s approach to Israel-Palestine:
“„General David Petraeus added his voice to the mix in a front page interview in the influential Saudi paper al-Hayat, saying that resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would improve American security and weaken its adversaries. (Perhaps the imprimatur of Gen. Petraeus will sway some American skeptics as well?)
Maybe, maybe not. It’s somewhat bewildering that a figure of Petraeus’ stature would be needed to express what ought to be an uncontroversial assertion — a settled Israel-Palestinian issue is a net security positive to the United States and a net loss to its enemies — but we are where we are. In The New York Times today there’s a piece elaborating on the administration’s approach to stopping Israeli settlement expansion, which is one of several obstacles to a peace settlement, but according to the Jerusalem Post, Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu rejects that American demand as “unreasonable.” Petraeus’ interview to al-Hayat will be read as a statement of American intent — though, alas, I can’t read it for its specifics, so perhaps it’s merely a generic statement — and there will be a price to pay in the Arab world if the administration backtracks on the settlement issue.
Camilo Wood
Reviewer
Camilo Wood has over two decades of experience as a writer and journalist, specializing in finance and economics. With a degree in Economics and a background in financial research and analysis, Camilo brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his writing.
Throughout his career, Camilo has contributed to numerous publications, covering a wide range of topics such as global economic trends, investment strategies, and market analysis. His articles are recognized for their insightful analysis and clear explanations, making complex financial concepts accessible to readers.
Camilo's experience includes working in roles related to financial reporting, analysis, and commentary, allowing him to provide readers with accurate and trustworthy information. His dedication to journalistic integrity and commitment to delivering high-quality content make him a trusted voice in the fields of finance and journalism.
Latest Articles
Popular Articles