ON THE BRINK:

Bush's Letter to his "Dear Enemies" (Tariq Alhomayed, 1/14/08, Asharq Al-Awsat)

This is a man who is on the verge of changing the course of Arab-American relations and strategic alliances following the bloody events of September 11. Today we see him visiting allies and prominent figures in the Arab world as a friend and ally.

This visit is testimony to a shift in Washington that cannot be ignored by Bush's successor in the White House ¬¬¬¬– whether Republican or Democrat, especially with regards to the outcome of the peace process in terms of success or failure. Suffice it to mention that foreign policy is strongly present in the US elections, not only in relation to Iraqi affairs but also with regards to what Iran and Syria are undertaking in the region.

Much has changed in seven years; we witnessed the invasion of two states; one Arab and the other Islamic. It's enough to mention all that has transpired in Iraq, which has been experiencing changes that reflect the shift in Washington; the most prominent of which is the support of the al Sahwa (Awakening) councils.

But is Bush capable of achieving peace? And why has he been so hospitably received during his visit?

With regards to the peace process, the situation is different today from what it was during Bill Clinton's term since reluctance and mistrust exist both on an Arab level and on an international one as well.

Today there is Arab, Islamic and international support and consensus to revive the peace process which has been reawakened by the Arab [Peace] Initiative. Bush is the first American president to call for a Palestinian state.

As for the warm reception that Bush received, the president is obliged to send a letter to both Syria and Iran saying, "Dear enemies, thanks to you; the threat that you pose over the region has led to warm hospitality!"

What Iran has done and is still doing in terms of widening the Palestinian chasm, disrupting stability in Iraq, continuing its occupation of the islands that belong to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), threatening the Gulf's security and interfering in internal Arab affairs through its support of Hezbollah, supporting Syria's position which threatens Lebanon's stability and its disruption in Iraq – makes Arab states keen to forge an alliance with the US, and Europe as well.

In their next presidential election the Iranians have a golden opportunity to heal the breach. It's just up to Ayatollah Khamenei to seize that opportunity.

Posted by Orrin Judd at January 14, 2008 12:00 AM