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McCain, Obama, and the Hamas Banana Skin
Senator McCain's 'Hamas attack' on Senator Obama has certainly got a lot of play. The McCain campaign even used it in a fundraising email.
While neither campaign has come out of the episode bathed in glory, the way in which Senator McCain manipulated this raises some worrying questions as to just how irresponsible on national security his campaign is willing to be to score points. The NYT has a good factual account of the story, including the quotes from a WABC radio interview by senior Hamas adviser Ahmed Yousef and the responses of the respective campaigns. Yousef did not endorse Obama and Obama was not fishing for endorsements off the Gazan coast. Gazans do not have a vote in US elections (they did though vote in American-sponsored elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council, the results of which the Bush administration then attempted to overturn by arming up a faction within Fatah, as David Rose recently exposed in Vanity Fair).
Obviously the McCain spin was all about politics. But the substantive policy piece of this should not be ignored. As has been clarified on numerous occasions by Senator Obama, the candidates' policies are identical on the issue of Hamas -- a terrorist organization with whom there will be no engagement. That symmetry is rather a shame. Current policy, including toward Hamas, is not working. It is not delivering security to Israelis or Palestinians, not advancing the peace process and not contributing to overall re-stabilization in a dangerously radicalized Middle East. Israel is currently in the midst of considering Egyptian-mediated ceasefire possibilities with Hamas. Very senior Israeli officials and ex-officials, including ex-Mossad chief Efraim Halevy, ex-National Security Adviser Giora Eiland, and former Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami, are advocating Israeli engagement, direct or indirect, with Hamas. And sitting ministers and parliamentarians (albeit somewhat constrained by coalition discipline) are making similar noises. The Israeli government and defense establishment are in constant contact with a variety of regional and international officials and non-officials who meet with, and are able to convey a better understanding of, Hamas and its positions. Laura Rozen has a very thoughtful piece on this in MoJo.
In the run-up to last November's Israeli-Palestinian Annapolis peace conference, over 60 prominent Americans led by Brent Scowcroft, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Lee Hamilton, and Carla Hills signed a letter to President Bush and Secretary Rice (initiated by the New America Foundation, among others) that argued: "As to Hamas, we believe that... dialogue... is far preferable to its isolation" and that if "Hamas is ostracized, prospects that they will play a spoiler role increase dramatically." Former Secretary of State Colin Powell has adopted a similar position.
For John McCain, Hamas policy (or lack thereof) is part of his parroting of Bush's talk-to-no-one policy and his more-of-the-sameness. Barack Obama has embraced the idea that tough diplomacy, even with adversaries, might actually have a role in problem solving, but that Hamas is a non-state actor and listed terrorist organization, and therefore is not on the to-be-engaged list. It's a reasonable distinction to draw even if there are, of course, no Palestinian interlocutors who are 'state actors'. Obama in general has demonstrated diplomatic sophistication in his Middle East pronouncements, and these were on display again in an interview with Jeffrey Goldberg of the Atlantic, where the Illinois Senator gave vent to his deep familiarity with the Zionist idea, the meaning of Israel in Jewish life and the impact that the unresolved Arab-Israeli conflict has on the region.
Much has been made of the role or lack thereof of Robert Malley in the Obama campaign. The Malley association was being used by various groups to misrepresent Obama and Malley has now stepped down from what was anyway an informal association with the campaign. Malley is the director of the Middle East program at the International Crisis Group and a former Special Assistant to President Clinton for Arab-Israeli Affairs (full disclosure: he is also a friend and former colleague).
In his professional role, it is Malley's job to understand the Middle East, the major players and forces, their considerations and the backdrop against which decisions and policy options can be evaluated. As such, Malley has met with the Hamas leadership as well as with leaderships and opposition in a range of countries across the region, including Israel. That is called expertise and a deep, first-hand understanding. It is what you have in the room if you do not want to be Chalabied time and again when you make foreign policy. Not setting oneself up to be Chalabied by filling a room with ignorance and ideological groupthink is part of the change that is required in November. The Robert Malley's should be in the room. US and Israeli officials frequently seek his counsel. By the way, the under-attack Robert Malley's impeccable credentials have also been defended in this letter from his former colleagues and the most respected Israel policy-hands.
But what of the dangerous irresponsibility on display in the McCain campaign. McCain wants to stay 100 years in Iraq, to bomb bomb bomb Iran, continue ignoring Syria. He makes no mention of the peace process (unlike Obama in his Israel at 60 greeting), and wants to turn up the heat on Russia and China at the same time.
So how does this link back to our Gaza chap Mr. Yousef. There are two ways of interpreting Ahmed's Yousef comments on the American election: the first, is that as a member of Hamas's pragmatist camp, which has reached out to the West before, Yousef is genuinely hoping for a dialogue with the US and that the differences between the US and non al-Qaeda political Islamists, like Hamas, can actually be bridged. That interpretation makes sense to me and would be a rather encouraging sign. In unequivocally rejecting Hamas, Obama would seem not to adhere to this interpretation. Again though, Obama makes an important distinction in his Goldberg interview:
I welcome the Muslim world's accurate perception that I am interested in opening up dialogue and interested in moving away from the unilateral policies of George Bush, but nobody should mistake that for a softer stance when it comes to terrorism or when it comes to protecting Israel's security or making sure that the alliance is strong and firm.
Everything suggests that McCain would categorically reject seeing Yousef's comment as outreach. So how else can one explain Yousef's comments?
Like this: it's a play out of the Karl Rove book of political psych-ops. Why? Well, McCain equals a continuation of Bush policies that have strengthened Hamas and have undermined Hamas's competition -- the moderate Western allies. So Hamas has thrown some encouraging words in Obama's direction, anticipating the predictable responses, thereby intentionally harming him -- and helping McCain. Right Karl?
Either McCain is wrong about Hamas (interpretation 1), or he has fallen into their trap, been suckered, and given a foreign agent (and one he defines as terrorist at that) a prominent role in an American election. Neither version exactly flatters the Arizona Senator. McCain doesn't recognized psych-ops? Who would've thunk it?
Quick quiz: Which is the appropriate response for an anti-terror warrior: "I will not lend a hand to this attempt by terrorists to intervene in the American electoral process"; or "Dear voters, listen to the terrorists, send me cash."?
Hey, it's your election but it seems to me that McCain is saying its open season: anyone in the world with a gripe -- game on, play our politics. And in this instance he also happens to be enhancing the regional prestige of Hamas. That looks to me like a campaign playing fast and loose with national security. And why not? McCain already embraced Pastor Rod Parsley -- "The fact is that America was founded, in part, with the intention of seeing this false religion [Islam] destroyed." Now embracing him will make troops in the region and folks back home safer?
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"As such, Malley has met with the Hamas leadership as well as with leaderships and opposition in a range of countries across the region, including Israel."
It is nice to know that in your world meeting Hamas leadership is the same thing as meeting goverment official in Israel...
Can I get you a tissue? In your world?
Why would I need one?
So far you guys do everything possible to snach defeat from the jaws of victory. Democrats may actually end up loosing this presidential elcetion, the feat I would assume impossible as little as 3 months ago. they clearly will kill republicans in Congress races. Republican party had lost its way of fiscal discipline and small goverement. this will be a great wake up call. However, Obama has at least 40% of loosing this election...
Having left wing of Democratic party take over the part at the same time as republican party is under power of extreme right will result in creation of the third centrist party this country needs so much.
If McCain really means to open format debates with Obama it will be either entertaining or painful to watch. Would you enjoy watching a teen-aged Golden Glover in the ring with Mike Tyson? How brutal would that be? Though I doubt it, I might even feel some pity for poor old doddering John!
Obama will chew him up and spit him out! Obama not only packs the knowledge John obviously lacks, it seems his IQ is about double McCain's! The only match-up more unfair would be one with the hapless "W". Now there's a real fool!
It will be so unfair, the referees might just call it in the first round!
Israel once said they would NEVER negotiate with Fatah. Now they do - but only because they have pulled out all of Fatah's teeth, and all the Palestinians who still mean business and have not sold out have gone over to Hamas. So now Israel wants a bogus agreement with the weak and pliant Fatah, and refuses to acknowledge Hamas. The U.S., ever the handmaiden to the Israelis, follows suit, and you get posts like the ones you see here about Hamas. IF YOU DON"T TALK TO THE PARTIES you NEVER GET AN AGREEMENT. So McCain is a stooge to Bush, and to Israel. Oh - and I forgot, he's also a stooge to the Religious Right, who are totally pro-Israel. No Palestinian state on the horizon, I'd say. What a maverick !
It would be impossible for Obama to discuss talks with Hamas in any way at this time (while campaigning), but it is encouraging that some members of Hamas see in him someone who is open to dialogue, should the situation be "right." Perception can mean a lot. If it becomes attractive to Hamas to try and have talks with Obama, they are likely to try and compromise in order to do so. That has no mitigating effect on Obama's strong feelings about terrorism and anti-Israel sentiment. Simply by appearing more open-minded than Bush and his clones, he has effectively put his foot in the door of possibility when it comes to diplomacy in Palestine. That is laudable and not to be underestimated.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/958473.html
64% of Israelis support talks with Hamas on a cease fire and negotiations to release Brother Shalit. (2008)
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3187898,00.html
50% of Israelis support talks with Hamas (2005)
http://btvshalom.org/resources/isr_polls.shtml
I guess this is a case of being more kasrut than the rabbi?
Of course one could ask Rush, maybe these are "phony" Jews.
Or SHJs?
Unilateral? Bush here? Let's see...talks with Hamas would be unilateral, to wit, against the wishes of your European and especially Arab allies. Obama is the unilateralist here. Though I suspect he's just playing to American-style leftish vanity about the power of their capabilities of persuasion.
Daniel, thanks for the truthful and hard hitting article. Isolating any faction that represents a troubled population is foolish. If Obama negotiates with Iran, Syria, Hamas or even Al Quaida, it would have to be better than the obstinacy of this lunatic administration that we have now and it's spawn, John McCain.
Seems to me if Hamas wanted to keep the Republicans in power they would say nice things about Obama.
McCain will keep the US mired in Iraq indefinitely, bleeding our military and treasury white.
The perfect outcome for Hamas.
If McCain himself didn't recognize the Hamas attempt to manipulate our elections, his people certainly did. They used it for what it is - a gift to McCain, just as Bush did previously with inflammatory pronouncements from Bin Laden. It doesn't matter to the Republicans that Hamas is trying to manipulate our election as long as the Republicans like the way it falls. And my Jewish relatives have fallen for it.
Wait, do we have any positive confirmation that Senator McCain actually knows what Hamas is? I mean, he does not understand the factions in Iraq. He does not seem to care to check facts. So why do we still assume that he actually knows what is going on with Israel and the Palestinians? And how can we know that his staff is any smarter than his comments indicate? So far they certainly don't qualify to say "I am smarter than a fifth grader!".
I read today that Barack was now wearing a lapel pin of our flag and I thought to myself ;if that was Hillary we would roundly accuse her of pandering to the right wingers.Do we have a double standard or is that just the way the world is?My friends can do no wrong but the others................. a bunch of hypocrits.
Or, the more intelligent among us wouldn't notice or comment on it at all because it is such a meaningless concern.
You may be right, but Hillary is yesterday's news.
Notice not one thing on HuffPo about Hillary. Nothing of note on the TV news.
Its over.
To be a Senator, you only have to know one word - AIPAC. That's it. Nothing else. Knowledge of the actual players in the Middle East is not encouraged. Sadly, McCain is only doing what they all do there. That's why there's no Palestinian state, it's no accident, there will be no breakthrough negotiations, Israel has the power, period. Anyone who thinks these Senators actually care about the American national interest is sadly mistaken. Israel's interests are presented as America's interests, and they ARE NOT.
Daniel:
Why did it take you so long to see through the smoke and mirrors of the "straight talk express?" McCain has gotten away with his addlepated comments and lack of substance on national security and foreign relations for years.
Daniel your MSM collegues have created the McCain myth. It is regrettable that the MSM spends so many hours on the Obama/Clinton saga, yet McCain is unchallenged by the MSM on his idiotic policies. McCain makes G.W.Bush look like a mensa heavyweight.
"McCain wants to stay 100 years in Iraq, to bomb bomb bomb Iran, continue ignoring Syria. He makes no mention of the peace process (unlike Obama in his Israel at 60 greeting), and wants to turn up the heat on Russia and China at the same time. " MCCAIN/REPUBLICANS PLAN TO END TERRORISM.
"For John McCain, Hamas policy (or lack thereof) is part of his parroting of Bush's talk-to-no-one policy and his more-of-the-sameness." MCCAIN'S IDEA OF A SUBSTANTIVE FOREIGN POLICY DEBATE
"That looks to me like a campaign playing fast and loose with national security. And why not? McCain already embraced Pastor Rod Parsley -- "The fact is that America was founded, in part, with the intention of seeing this false religion [Islam] destroyed." Now embracing him will make troops in the region and folks back home safer?" MCCAIN/REPUBLICANS USING AN AGENT OF INTOLERENCE TO DETERMINE OUR NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY.
Well we certainly would not want to gain reputation of rubbing shoulders, let alone talk, or oh my god listen to elected governments that do not invade and occupy lands of others. It would hardly be the American way. Best to push aside those that legally defend themselves or even talk about it such as Iran. I keep looking for someone to tell me why the US counts Israel as an ally. Must be their invasion and occupation. Much more American. We like people just like us - savage.
BRAVO, Pocho!
Nobody has said it better!
This is so strange. Hamas is a group inside the Palestinian territories. Apparently no one has told the American politicians, but the U.S. is not at war with Hamas. They're not our enemy. They are the enemy of Israel. Israel has stolen the palestinian land and created a warsaw ghetto-style concrete fenced-in area in which Palestinians are denied water, food, or medical care. But Hamas and the U.S. have zero relationship with each other. It ain't my problem.
So why do all the politicians act as if the most important issue in this election is who does Hamas like? Who gives a s**t? That's Israel's problem. I'm not an Israeli. I'm an American. When will my politicians begin paying attention to the things that are of concern to me, and leave Israel to solve their own problems?
For example, in case anyone wants to know, I want the U.S. out of the middle east entirely: end all the wars, stop the money flow to Israel and get the hell out, bring the money home. Invest inside the U.S. in jobs, education, healthcare for everyone, retirement, housing. Start there, and once the U.S. politicians have succeeded in doing something for their own people, then we can talk about other countries. In the meantime, this is not Israel, and Israel's efforts to influence this election, or the efforts of U.S. politicians to pretend that their primary responsibility is to Israel, is just wrong.
Bravo! I think if Hamas reads your post they will endorse YOU for President!
Hezbollah too!
But you may just be on a Mossad hit list :(
Ha! Ha!
Seriously well said, tho :)
Totally agree! But, according to Bush and other patriotic Neo-cons, if we only care about these minor domestic issues, you know, like poverty, health care, unemployment, education, inequality, inflation, housing, etc. etc.....the TERRORISTS win!!!
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