Failures of Statecraft: Bush and the Middle East
Editorial, The Boston Globe | January 12, 2009
A series of failures during the eight-year Bush administration are culminating in the current Gaza war. ++ Bush failed to capitalize on Arafat's nationalistic and peace making potential; he then shunned Iran despite vital intelligence aid during the Afghan war. ++ Furthermore, "Bush insisted on holding Palestinian elections in January 2006," resulting in a Hamas victory; militarily backing Fatah led to the bloody Hamas coup in 2007. ++ Obama must not waste one day in addressing the Middle East turmoil inherited from his predecessor.
