America's Foreign Policy Is Failing In The Middle East

America Is the Arsonist of the Middle East -- Lee Smith, The Tablet

John Kerry’s failed peace negotiations set off the spiral of violence between Israel and the Palestinians

vents are moving so quickly in the Middle East that it seems like whatever you are reading is already outdated. Yesterday, after Hamas fired dozens of rockets into Israel over the weekend, Israeli Air Force planes targeted the Gaza-based group and killed at least seven members. Hamas’ actions follow the murder of a 16-year-old Arab Israeli, who was killed by soccer thugs in an alleged act of retribution for the abduction and murder of three Jewish Israeli teenagers, whose bodies were found last Monday. Netanyahu has repeatedly warned Hamas to cease its attacks. Hamas responded on Monday that it will continue its attacks until the blockade on Gaza is lifted. Both sides are likely to escalate.

So, how did we get here? Who is to blame? From one perspective, what we’re watching is the latest round in a nearly century-long cycle of Arab-Israeli violence, so it’s hardly surprising to see violence erupt once again. However, it’s also worth noting that it is precisely because peace is so rare in the Holy Land that the status quo needs to be given its space and left alone. Or you need to have a very good reason for disturbing it.

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My Comment: The history of the Middle East has always been one of bloodshed and violence .... but in today's world U.S. diplomacy is not earning (or keeping) any friends in the Middle East. The reasons for this are probably many .... but with countries like Iraq and Afghanistan now spiraling into more violence ....and America quickly withdrawing ....the perception in the Middle East is that the U.S. has disengaged from the region .... and they are now being left alone. In short .... the old rules and understandings no longer apply .... and America is no longer the reliable ally that it has been since the end of the Second World War.