On the Road to Nowhere

I am appalled that so few bloggers out there are talking about one of the most critical issues of current US policy: the "Road Map" for peace in the Middle East and the establishment of Palestinian nation-state. It appears that bloggers are too rapped up with discussing the deception concerning WMD or the potential Democratic candidates for president. These are stories that will come to fruition in their own time. The Middle East question is being dealt with right now, and should be treated with such concern.

Where is the Road Map going? It appears that Bush's plans for peace have stalled, and the Road Map is turning into nothing more than an overspent metaphor. At this moment it appears neither that Hamas is willing to end its conflict with Israel, nor that the Israeli settlers in the West Bank are willing to leave. The first issue is more pressing, the second is slightly more symbolic. However, it appears that these two groups, more than the general Israeli and Palestinian populations themselves, are willing to torpedo the peace process. Sharon has himself done much harm by undermining the credibility of Abas to deal with the militia groups.

One interesting development: Bush is interested in sending in an United Nations peacekeeping force? This is an idea that is just being bandied about, but it could reflect a change in the administration's position concerning the utility of international, multilateral organizations:

The United Nations secretary-general, Kofi Annan, has revived a proposal, which he first made three years ago, for an international peacekeeping force in the occupied territories. Until now, the Bush administration has been against the idea of American participation in such a force. As recently as Friday, Mr Bush's spokesman, Ari Fleischer, said the administration was against the idea. However, Mr Lugar said in a television interview on Sunday that the possibility of sending American troops was in fact being considered, either unaccompanied or as part of a UN or NATO force.