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Colin Powell for Middle East Envoy -- Dennis Ross for US Ambassador to Israel?
Recently, Politico issued a roster of top policy and political hands who would be in line for key positions in an Obama government.
At the time, I thought it very odd that Clinton Middle East coordinator Dennis Ross was not on the list. Ross was rumored to be one of the four competing to be national security adviser to Barack Obama -- along with James Steinberg, Susan Rice, and Gregory Craig.
Now we know that General Jim Jones will be National Security Adviser. Former Warren Christopher aide Tom Donilon will probably be his deputy. Jim Steinberg will be Deputy at Hillary Clinton's Department of State, and Susan Rice will be the second Ambassador to the United Nations to follow the destructive tenure of the recess-appointed John Bolton. The fun and quite brilliant Gregory Craig will be a highly capable, turbo-charged White House Counsel.
But Dennis Ross has still not been selected for anything yet -- and his visibility has been low (well except for this disturbing "let's bomb Iran now and get it over with" report). There aren't a lot of rumors about him -- and there should be. He's an accomplished diplomat who should be in the mix somewhere -- but not just anywhere.
Ross is much more hawkish on Iran than I am. While I'm impressed with his ability to simultaneously sell conflicting themes -- like on one hand he wants to bomb Iran and undermine any engagement with Hamas while on the other he desires the sort of dovish position advocated by Search for Common Ground -- Dennis Ross is much more comfortable with neoconservatives than realists or liberal internationalists.
Dennis Ross, who I enjoy at a personal level and who I like to debate, is nonetheless part of the never-ending Middle East peace business in the country, and that is a business that needs to be put out of business.
Ross is close to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. He would make an excellent U.S. Ambassador to Israel. Much better an Ambassador there -- than someone tasked with negotiating with Iran or trying to broker the birth of a viable Palestinian state.
Two of Ross' closest regular associates are Robert Satloff and James Woolsey -- and neither of these believe in assembling all of the key stakeholders in the Middle East that are needed to stabilize Iraq, to get Iran on a new track, and to establish a viable, successful Palestine next to a secure Israel.
Until the leaks about Susan Rice's appointment to serve American interests in the United Nations, I thought Ross would be a good shoe-in there as well.
And then I heard someone saying what I thought on TV today.
Zbigniew Brzezinski was on MSNBC's Morning Joe talking with a panel of folks, including his daughter Mika Brzezinski, about his co-authored book with Brent Scowcroft and David Ignatius (which I had a hand in initiating and sponsoring) and about moving in a more productive direction in the Middle East.
Brzezinski said that after Obama made some clarifying statements about his objectives in the Middle East, he should appoint people to help achieve his goals.
Zbig dropped some names -- some big ones....and I liked how he did it.
He said hypothetically, Colin Powell could be the person asked to do the broad negotiating and arm twisting to achieve the Obama administration's foreign policy objectives with Iran and in Arab-Israel peace negotiations.
Brzezinski then said that Dennis Ross would make an excellent and important US Ambassador to Israel.
I think he's right -- and it's time to start whispering about Ross's fate again and get him back in the mix as envoy to Tel Aviv -- but not as czar of Middle East negotiations. With Jim Jones, Bob Gates, and others in the mix -- that would be paralyzing.
But Colin Powell, Chuck Hagel, Richard Lugar, or even Richard Armitage -- those could be smart and interesting choices.
-- Steve Clemons is Senior Fellow and Director of the American Strategy Program at the New America Foundation and publishes the popular political blog, The Washington Note
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Colin Powell was a do-nothing in the Israel-Palestine "situation." Just NO - THING.
ahem... and I quote...
"That starts with ensuring Israel's qualitative military advantage. I will ensure that Israel can defend itself from any threat — from Gaza to Tehran. Defense cooperation between the United States and Israel is a model of success, and must be deepened. As president, I will implement a Memorandum of Understanding that provides $30 billion in assistance to Israel over the next decade — investments to Israel's security that will not be tied to any other nation. First, we must approve the foreign aid request for 2009. Going forward, we can enhance our cooperation on missile defense. We should export military equipment to our ally Israel under the same guidelines as NATO. And I will always stand up for Israel's right to defend itself in the United Nations and around the world."
Dennis Ross exemplifies that peculiar breed of "American" diplomat that mortgages the future of America's standing in the world in order to perpetuate the regional hegemony of Israel. Ross is not just pro-Israel-he is belligerently pro-Likud, and, from all appearances, would not be at all displeased to see America dragged into a catastrophic war against Iran by that perpetual Albatross around it's neck, the policy of unconditional, unfettered and unlimited support for Israel, no matter what.
Continued U.S. support of the Israeli regime, at least for the near future, appears to be a fait accomplis; however, such support must be conditioned and tempered to compatibility of the national interest of the U.S. and to the welfare of its own citizenry. Any diplomat who puts the well being of a foreign power above that of their country or fellow citizens is, at least morally, guilty of treason.
this seems self evident and it is the wildest heresy and blasphemy in msm. these internets didn't get here a moment too soon. when will the vast majority of the american public without a religious stake in this dispute see the reality of america's true strategic interests?
Colin Powell has certainly learned a few things and won't be
quick to jump on a war wagon. Gates is pro-attack on Iran.
Olmert was in Washington recently to talk about Iran again
with Bush.
What happens to Obama's administration, should Israel, Bush
and the current military leaders decide Iran needs a pre-emptive
whack? He sure would have a wild first 100 days!
Steve, while I would love to see Colin Powell's considerable talents and international stature used in the way described in this article, I likewise hope that the Obama Administration is more flexible than the titles it's given to it's cabinet members.
Why do I say this? Because while Bill Richardson will soon become Commerce Secretary, he has a track record of pulling off multiple negotiating coups with foreign leaders.
Richardson will have his hands full trying to solve the Bush economic meltdown. However, President Obama would be wise to bring Richardson "into the room" as needed when dealing with foreign affairs. And if Richardson can be of help in communicating and negotiating with foreign leaders, Obama should ask Bill to take of his Commerce Secretary hat and assist the country in it's foreign policy when needed.
Both Obama and Richardson will need to respect protocol before ever involving Bill in this way; respect the roles and responsibilities of his foreign policy team. But, if Obama can keep all of the egos in check and use all of the talents of what is shaping up to be a great team (not just strictly use his cabinet in the specific roles they are assigned to), then this nation will be far better for it.
If someone has a talent in a particular area, it should not be ignored. Instead, it should be put to use for the good of the nation.
New policy: We've got all these people who have been involved with crafting US policy for so long, their opinions may be dangerous and unproductive to our stated aims, but hey....we need to give them some kind of job. What the hell kind of logic is this?
Richard Armitage who outed Plame is a smart choice? Powell who sold us on an unnecessary war is a good choice? These are bad choices.
but they didn't mean to. seriously, it is hard to do and a bit dangerous lest the president be seduced by contrary perspectives, but sometimes using the once caught thief to enforce the law has its place.
Rumors!!!!...Rumors for sale!! Get yer fresh rumors here!!!!
I'd like three packets of rumors and a bucket of gossip please.
Good choice. Comes with a piquant smear sauce on the side. Yum!
We (the Thinking Americans) know wha Ross is.
NO way, NO how, NO ross.......
With all do respect, I don't think putting a person like Ross who says anything about bombing Iran is a good choice for creating peace in the Middle East. Especially when during the campaign Obama criticized McCain for his comments of the like.
I actually think Chuck Hagel would be the best choice. If not, Colin Powell or John Kerry would be better choices.
Man, I'd love to see Powell involved in this administration. I could tell when he gave that speech at the UN supporting the war in Iraq that somehow, his heart just wasn't in it. He was lied to just like everyone this country. He is exceptionally bright, experienced and far from a hawk by most standards. His comments when announcing his support for Obama were articulate and spot-on. He reconfirmed my belief in the man as a genuine intellect and a born leader, especially regarding the military.
Get him on board.
The problem with being a good soldier is that one often ends up as cannon fodder. It may be that General Powell feels no need to rejoin the fray just yet.
Powell maybe.. not Ross anytime... no way no how no Ross. ( to coin a phrase)
Colin Powell could be the person asked to do the broad negotiating and arm twisting to achieve the Obama administration's foreign policy objectives with Iran and in Arab-Israel peace negotiations.
*****Oh Yeah! those Iranians are gonna respect Powell who went before the world & lied about an Arab country having WMD's & forged aggression on 'em Iraqi A-rabs ?Is there any wonder why this country is so F-uped.
Powell is a Yes man. He was one during Bush Admin. and he will be during Obama admin. He's got an obedient sergeant's personality. He could've been a contendah...
MagisterLudi,
Powell is not a yes man he just lost out on the bid to have the presidents ear. Rumsfeld, Cheney and other hawks in the administration one out. Now Powell clearly made a mistake in letting himself be used in front of the U.N. and he should have known better but that's to late. I do still believe he has enough clout to be a good middle envoy.
If Powell was such a yes man, he'd have towed the party line and he'd have endorsed McCain.
POwell is a Yes man by personality, I suspect. Maybe it's his military habit of following orders.
Ross played an undermining role regarding middle eastern peace in both the Clinton and Bush senior administrations. He would be a danger to the US if he worked for the government in ANY capacity. The Ambassador to Israel must be ready to forcefully convey some very new US agendas to Israel regarding settlers and the occupation that guard them, not help them sidestep those agendas.
He should remain unemployed by the US government, and should be trusted no more than his 2 AIPAC counterparts who are currently charged with espionage against the united states as the result their effort to foment totally avoidable war with Iran.
yes. he seems to have divided loyalties.
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