Walt & Mearsheimer at CAIR

Walt & Mearsheimer appeared yesterday before the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Washington, D.C. to discuss their theory that “neocons” (specifically “Wolfowitz” and “Feith”) misled U.S. foreign policy, and that an “Israel Lobby” prevented a “more flexible” Iran policy. 

Their analysis was exemplified by Walt’s assertion that the United States ended up with Hamas because -- beholden to Israel -- the U.S. gave Mahmoud Abbas “nothing.”  That’s what the man said, “nothing.”

Neither of them mentioned the fact that George W. Bush formally endorsed a Palestinian state (assuming the Palestinians built a “practicing democracy” with leaders “not compromised by terror”), nor the fact that the U.S. -- while waiting in vain for Abbas to meet his initial Road Map obligation of “sustained, targeted, and effective operations aimed at confronting all those engaged in terror and dismantlement of terrorist capabilities and infrastructure” -- nevertheless (a) pressured Israel into releasing 900 prisoners to help Abbas (a step not required in the Road Map); (b) supported Sharon’s plan to simply give Abbas all of Gaza (under the mistaken assumption it would generate popular support for Abbas); (c) supported Abbas financially with tens of millions of dollars in handouts, and with pledges of billions more; (d) watched without protest as Abbas took the money and padded the public payroll with “security forces,” instead of building schools or hospitals or houses for refugees; and nevertheless (e) continually supported Abbas as a “man of peace.”

But even with diplomatic support, money, prisoners, land, and an exemption from his Road Map responsibilities, Abbas couldn’t control even his own terrorists in the Al Aska Martyr’s Brigade, nor eliminate the rampant corruption in his own party (even with his famous committee).  And then the Palestinians, without consulting the neocons, elected Hamas.

But Walt & Mearsheimer blame the “Israel Lobby” for giving Abbas “nothing.” 

Such scholars.

Comments

[CHUCK FOX]

I read Mel Montgomery’s discussion of Mel Gibson’s comments and his disagreement with Rabbi Wolpe. And I read your disagreement with Mr. Montgomery’s discussion.

I’d like to add one point. While I’d like to think that, like Mr. Montgomery, we’re all concerned with Gibson’s “redemption” and his “forgiveness” and of the how the Jewish community would “look better” if it could handle the situation differently, I prefer to be concerned with the redemption of all of those who feel that Gibson is some kind of icon, whose opinions and directions should be followed not because they are well thought out statements, but because of his celebrity. There are groups of people out there that are not afforded the luxury of discussions of redemption and forgiveness. They are so influenced by the persona that Gibson’s movies have made larger than life that they have trouble separating fact from fantasy. Stanislaw Lec also said, “When smashing monuments, save the pedestals; they may come in handy.” I’m concerned about the various publics that are so hungry for a hero that they’ll idolize a man like Gibson and believe that whatever he says is true. And by the way, it was not Gibson’s father who uttered those words to the police that night. Mr. Gibson will have to live with that “sin” himself.

So while I’m not smart enough to know how Mr. Gibson can repair any damage he’s done, I’d rather seek redemption and forgiveness for someone or some group that is not so rich, not so arrogant and not so defiant and who’s salvation could really mean something. Any suggestions?

Chuck

[S Silverstein]

I keep pointing out that the problem here is not bad scholarship. Through encouragement of Islamic terrorists by their paper and appearances, Walt and Mearsheimer have become de facto accessories to murder.

Think of the role their kind of "scholar" played in, say, 1938.

[S Silverstein]

Steven Walt holds the Robert and Renee Belfer multimillion-dollar Endowed Professorship of International Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Robert and Renee Belfer's reaction to Walt and Mearsheimer's CAIR production? Nothing. Nil.

Thanks, Mr. Belfer. Bury your head in the sand deeper.

Oh, by the way, where did Mr. Belfer earn his millions? See http://www.apfn.org/enron/belfer.htm .

Walt and Belfer make excellent companions.