Is Israeli-Palestinian Peace at Hand for Super Sub-Secretary George Mitchell? Not According to Thomas Friedman

1) "Tribunal to Open in Hariri Killing in Beirut," A8, by Marlise Simons
2) "Legal Battles Await Olmert as Term Ends," A10, by Isabel Kershner
3) "A Guide to Israel's Best," CY5, by Howard G. Goldberg
4) "Super (Sub) Secretaries," WK10 (Op-ed), by Thomas Friedman

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1) Tribunal to Open in Hariri Killing in Beirut

In a significant piece of news, the Times reports that the "Special Tribunal for Lebanon" is finally beginning, more than three years after the car-bomb assassination of Sunni-Lebanese politician Rafik Hariri in February 2005. Hariri was "a leading opponent of Syria’s political control over his country." The role of the court is to "try those deemed responsible for that attack." The highest echelons of the Syrian government are suspected to have been involved in the assassination plot.

The reporter writes that "some diplomats fear that if an investigation reached the top of the Syrian government, this could interfere with the thaw in relations between Damascus and the West." The question what "thaw"? While certain Western governments have changed their posture towards Syria, Syria has not altered its own negative behavior, which includes its continued coercive influence over Lebanese politics and its support of Hezbollah and Hamas.

If Syria is guilty for the assassination of Hariri (which seems abundantly clear), it must be held accountable for its action. For too long, Syria has not been held responsible for its dirty deeds in the region. This has only further emboldened its militant behavior, knowing that it has faced little or no consequences. Putting Syria off the hook again will achieve nothing.

In the end, we should expect the same "stonewalling and misinformation" from Syria that has hampered the investigation for three years. This time, however, Syria must be held accountable.

2) Legal Battles Await Olmert as Term Ends

In this detailed article, Times coverage returns to the corruption allegations against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. It seems all but written that Olmert will be formally charged, probably after he leaves office.

Given "evidence pointing to the acceptance of bribes, money-laundering and fraud," it is clear that Olmert is not fit to lead the country, regardless of whether or not one agrees with his political decisions as Prime Minister.

Fortunately, the Times did not use this article to call Olmert's downfall a "Demi-Greek Tragedy" as it once had. Even if an individual supports Olmert's peace efforts, he was no great leader and not fit to lead.

3) A Guide to Israel's Best

The Times gives a friendly shout-out to Israeli wine in this short blurb. Despite the brief nature of this article, it is important that the Times is able to report on Israel beyond the conflict and highlight the country's successes.

More coverage like this is necessary to counter-act the belief that Israel is a perpetual war zone, but unfortunately, that is exactly what appeals to readers.

4) Super (Sub) Secretaries

In this article, Thomas Friedman discusses Secretary of State Hilary Clinton's political innovation of "Super Sub-Secretaries of State," who are necessary to manage the affairs of some difficult political issues. The cast of characters are:

• "George Mitchell to handle Arab-Israel negotiations"
  
• "Richard Holbrooke to manage Afghanistan-Pakistan affairs"
  
• "and Dennis Ross to coordinate Iran policy"

Speaking about Arab-Israeli negotiations, Friedman has some insightful things to say. Whereas following the 1973 War, there existed three powerful political leaders that were able to successfully negotiate treaties/cease-fires (Anwar Sadat of Egypt, Hafez Assad of Syria, and Golda Meir of Israel), today the negotiating "parties are either failing states with multiple power centers" (i.e. the Palestinians) "or strong states with governments so fractious and hydra-headed that they border on paralyzed" (i.e. Israel).

Readers and those interested in the conflict should take heed of this reality. The current political situation in the Palestinian territories (struggle between Fatah & Hamas) and Israel (weak governance), make it essentially impossible for any sort of agreement to be reached in the near future. Forcefully attempting to conclude a peace agreement in these circumstances is bound to fail. The political chaos in the Palestinian territories alone is sufficient to make a peace agreement impossible. And that's assuming that all sides actually want to achieve a peaceful compromise, which is far from evident when it comes to the Palestinian leadership (whether of Fatah or Hamas), which continues to educate its populace that the State of Israel is illegitimate and that all the land on which Israel sits is rightfully theirs to rule.