Natan Sharansky\’s previous book, \”The Case for Democracy,\” changed the world. It inspired a generation of U.S. policymakers and influenced President George\nW. Bush in his decision to go to war against Saddam Hussein. So when Sharansky\’s second book, \”Defending Identity,\” came out this month, I thought I\’d better read it, quick
Despite renewed international pressure on Israel and Syria to restart peace talks, people are not very excited by the prospects.
President Bush is declaring his hope for a Palestinian state loud and clear, and no wonder — it\’s almost the price of entry to the alliance with Europe that he urgently wants to revive.
With Sunday\’s elections, the Bush administration got something it demanded from the Palestinians: the beginnings of a democracy. Whether that produces a real, functional democracy remains to be seen — and as that drama plays out, the administration faces some tough decisions and some big policy snares.
Last week, President Bush said it plainer than ever before: Palestinian democracy, not just an end to terrorism, is the essential precondition for any new U.S. peace efforts in the region.
There are many ways to reflect on the year past and the year to come.
"Bush, Sharon, you will see, Palestine will be free," chanted some 100 demonstrators, waving placards and walking in a circle in front of a high-rise housing the Israeli consulate last week.
The most obvious gap in the new Bush approach is its assumption that the Palestinian people really want peace, and that it\’s just a corrupt, unaccountable leadership that wants to intensify the fight against Israel, said Daniel Pipes, a longtime peace process critic and president of the Middle East Forum.
Israel\’s Jews did not vote for Ariel Sharon by a margin nearly unprecedented in any functioning democracy because they believe he has a magic solution to halt the intifada.
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