redblueamerica.com

Make no mistake, the timing of Israel's announcement of SECRET talks with Syria for the last three years is no coincidence. The news release was meant as much for American consumption as it was for Israel itself.  Israel is trying to influence the American election, and may even succeed if the American news media will pull it's head out of its collective ass and start providing accurate analysis.

In Israel's own, brilliant way, she has signaled her displeasure with a potential Obama presidency and its implication for Israel's diplomatic manuevering in the reigon.  The message from the news release is obvious:  " We ARE speaking with our enemies, you American idiots...do you not understand the nuances involved in such sensitive negotiations, or are you just that stupid?"

What do the Jews seem to understand that State Department culture does not?  Are there any more Dean Acheson Democrats left in this country?  Here's the news flash my idealistic, liberal friends:  America IS speaking to her enemies, all of them!  You see, there's these little things called "back channels."  They allow countries like Israel and America to exercise their foreign policy ambitions without getting their asses kicked in the court of public opinion by a news media that loves to be kissed while it's getting screwed by enemy propoganda.

For people who don't understand Arab culture,(like Obama)posturing and saving face are as important to middle east leaders as are the agreements themselves.  Leaders like Assad must appear strong to the masses, lest they find themselves on the wrong end of a rope.  Israel understands this and will go to extreme measures to keep leaks from occuring for the benefit of her enemy.  Quite amazing, really.

America was also involved in the disinformation campaign regarding the Syrian peace talks, as evidenced by the Bush administration's refusal to brief congress on what it knew about the Israeli air strike on the Syrian nuclear reactor several months prior.  Had details been made public,  Assad may have found himself in an untenable situation, and Israel would loose her back channel.  Nancy Pelosi's hystrionics is a small price to pay for Israel's trust.

The involvement of Turkey in the back channel negotiations is another aspect of this story that may escape Obama's diplomatic philosophy of "Hope and Change."  The Turks want full membership  in the European Union, which makes many of Europe's Christians nervous.  If Turkey can prove she is a serious broker for middle east peace, her ambitions  to become a regional power with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia, may come to fruition.

That is, if a future Obama administration can learn to keep secrets.  Israel doesn't think he can.  Neither should you.