Middle East Matters
Jimmy Carter did not leave office with the highest of reputations, but undoubtedly his heart is in the right place when it comes to trying to assist in resolving intractable problems.
Recently whilst in Damascus he met the political leadership of Hamas. The joint statement afterwards implied at least de facto recognition of Israel. Hamas should, if there is the genuine will, declare a unilateral ceasefire. However it is not clear who exactly has overriding authority in the organisation.
Additionally, Turkey has been trying to intervene to bring Syria and Israel into a dialogue. Turkey, uniquely, enjoys both excellent relations with Israel and Arab countries. There are hints that Israel may cede the Golden Heights back to Syria, an essential pre-condition to successful talks. They no longer have any strategic value, and are internationally recognised to be Syrian.
Just perhaps there is a basis for putting some elements of the Middle East jigsaw into place. There have been numerous false dawns, so one cannot be optimistic.
Now Syria has been accused of developing a nuclear facility, with the help of North Korea. The United States says it has clear proof. If indeed that regrettably is the case, and Syria has attempted to go down that route, is it worth asking why? Have continuous boycotts and isolation worked?
If Israel believes that Syria is the conduit for Iranian weapons and influence over Hezbollah, then surely it should be a key element of Israeli policy to try to disconnect secular Syria from theocratic Iran. It is unclear what the downside would be of road testing this proposition.
Israel did not leap for joy at the invasion of Iraq. It does not automatically have to listen to those who, in seeking to protect it, have not given it enduringly the best advice.