Golden Opportunity: Arab world fed up with Hizbullah

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Wednesday July 26, 2006 · 10:42 AM PDT

2006/07/26 · 10:42

With the exception of the Palestinians, the Arab world appears to be united in blaming Iran and Syria for the fighting in Lebanon. Until last week, Arab political analysts and government officials were reluctant to criticize Hizbullah in public. But now that Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and his top aides are in hiding, an anti-Hizbullah coalition is emerging not only in Lebanon, but in several other Arab countries as well.

The countries he is talking about -- Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia -- could be the core of a negotiated settlement in the region.

If I were in charge of US foreign policy, or at least in charge of Democratic talking points, I'd be proposing that those three countries stand with the US, Israel and Lebanon on common ground that is summarized by these elements:

Strengthen and support Lebanon's efforts to grow democracy.
In addition to helping Lebanon rebuild, help them isolate and disarm Hizbullah according to UN Resolution 1559.
Affirm Israel's right to exist as well as the right to self-defense and self-determination.
In addition, acknowledge that Israel's war against Lebanon is not America's war. Nor is it the undercard to the main bout of America vs. Iran. It is not the beginning of World War III, so sit down and shut up New Gingrich.
Slow down US arms sales to Israel.
In return for the coalition's support of Israel and its help in destroying Hizbullah, Israel agrees to stand down from her wholesale destruction of Lebanon.
Open talks with Iran and Syria.
Iran: Hizbullah is no longer an effective proxy for your regional ambitions; deal with it. Syria: When Lebanon threw you out, they meant it.
Use the example of Lebanon to resolve the situation between Fatah and Hamas.
The Palestinians must agree that any faction dedicated to the destruction of Israel has no place in the region. In return for signing a peace treaty (not a truce, not a cease-fire) with Israel, the nation of Palestine gets fast-tracked.

Oh, and one more thing: since this will never happen as long as Condi Rice and George W. Bush are in control, the Democrats should make this part of their talking points going into the November elections.

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