Smart takes

Posted By Elizabeth Dickinson Friday, December 5, 2008 - 11:15 AM Share

Brent Scowcroft & Zbigniew Brzezinski push for a two-state solution.

Navtej J. Dhillon says India must acknowledge and improve its Pakistan ties.

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JGARZIK

1:43 PM ET

December 5, 2008

Two-state solution

One cannot argue with Brent and Zbigniew's desire for a land of gumdrops and happy smiles,

Resolution of the Palestinian issue would have a positive impact on the region. It would liberate Arab governments to support US leadership in dealing with regional problems, as they did before the Iraq invasion. It would dissipate much of the appeal of Hizbullah and Hamas, dependent as they are on the Palestinians' plight. It would change the region's psychological climate, putting Iran back on the defensive and putting a stop to its swagger.

Talk about wishful thinking.

First, so many militant organizations use the Palestinian cause as a recruiting banner, there is a powerful built-in resistance to change, backed by hard cash.

But more importantly, there are plenty of other conflicts in the region simmering. It is silly to suggest that solving the Palestinian issue will put Iran on the defensive, and make Hizballah and Hamas go away.

Scowcroft and Brzezinski's op-ed is nothing more than yet another substance-free, weight-free call for peace.

Jeff @ Armchair FP

KIDZIB

3:11 PM ET

December 5, 2008

well put

i agree 100%. but one might also add that a two-state solution is a bad solution. it's unjust and infeasible and will never happen. israel has two options: either start preparing to share the state with palestinians and eventually function with a jewish minority or risk complete mayhem. mayhem will either involve the end of significant jewish presence in israel-palestine or - more likely - a massive bloodbath with arabs on the losing side. i'd take the former any day of the week.

KIDZIB

3:13 PM ET

December 5, 2008

which is to say...

...former as in power-sharing over mayhem.

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