Betrayals Galore

The Obama administration has realized so few international areas where it has managed situations to a successful conclusion, that they are anxious for a breakthrough. The dismal diplomatic activity coming out of the White House through this administration has been shockingly inefficient and wretchedly unexpected in the level of its unforgivable naivete. Did President Obama really have that much trust in the fine character of President Vladimir Putin to allow himself to be manipulated to reach decisions that would ultimately belittle and shame the reputation of the U.S. in the gathering opinion of the international community?

Barack Obama, that refreshing new face and charismatic personality, an academic-minded, socialist intellectual for a president -- a refreshing change, thought an initially enthralled world, reflecting the rapturous satisfaction of the American population who gave the man two stints at the presidency -- would move America away from the much-criticized judgement of the previous G.W. Bush administration. That was a man so anxious to ensure that the Democratic ideal be transplanted in the Middle East that he initiated two wars to implement it, but alas, it didn't travel very well.

And though Bush junior took pains to personally assure the Islamic Ummah that neither he nor his administration had any but good intentions toward a world religion that they hugely respected, President Obama went a good deal further and travelled to Cairo to deliver his very personal message of conciliation to the world of Islam. That world took a deep breath and waited. They are no longer waiting, but perhaps that is not entirely Mr. Obama's fault, since the world he sought to assure is now ruled by a tsunami of rejection of all matters non-Islamic. And Mr. Obama, taking on the mantle of world mediator, attempted objectivity viewed through the lens of subjectivity.

Egypt rejected President Obama's choice for them of Muslim Brotherhood rule under the delusional belief that the Brotherhood would bring democracy to the Middle East, and not Islamism; so guess which won out? The drive by a concerned Western alliance to ensure that Iran not acquire nuclear weapons was held to ransom by Russia and China; if North Korea could play with nuclear fission why not Iran? In Syria which has crossed a multitude of red lines, the will to intervene surrendered to the persuasion of Russia not to, and the slaughter continues.

And now -- ta-dum! The Mideast peace talks, the lonely little orphan-event that one American administration after another has adopted only to have the adoptee walk off into a recurring future of conflict. This time around, the American administration thought they might adopt one of the Palestinians' own gambits; trading one Israeli prisoner for a multitude of hundreds of Arab prisoners, imprisoned for various types of murderous assaults. When, at long last, Israel balked at the release of yet more Palestinian criminals so they could resume their former activities, all bets were off.

Back to the United Nations by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who in any event was not prepared, will never be prepared to sign off on a peace deal with Israel, since he cannot and will not accept the most immediately prominent hurdle, the recognition of the State of Israel as a Jewish State. One could state with a high degree of accuracy, his very life depends upon it. Never has the State of Israel implied that it does not consider Saudi Arabia an Arab state, nor Iran a Muslim Persian state. But the Arab League will not, cannot, does not recognize Israel as a Jewish state. Islam will not have it.

Talks, according to John Kerry, the US. Secretary of State, hadn't broken down, not really. The 15 requests for recognition as a Palestinian nation-state to join various arms of the United Nations represents a bit of blackmail from a political entity wrapped around an ideology that finds its home in a religion that refuses to recognize the legitimacy of other religions, other realities, other values. So, in a futile bid to bring Israel closer yet again to accepting yet greater demands of the Palestinians, the hope is dangled for the release of a man who has spent 26 years in prison.

Jonathan Pollard has spent almost half his life in prison, an American citizen who sold U.S. classified information to Israel. None of the documents he passed on to Israel had anything to do with U.S. military activities, plans, capabilities or equipment, according to CIA documents. Instead, Pollard gave Israel information relating to:

 "PLO headquarters in Tunisia; specific capabilities of Tunisian and Libyan air defense systems; Iraqi and Syrian chemical warfare productions capabilities (including detailed satellite imagery); Soviet arms shipments to Syria and other Arab states; naval forces, port facilities, and lines of communication of various Middle Eastern and North African countries; the MiG-29 fighter; and Pakistan's nuclear program. Also included was a U.S. assessment of Israeli military capabilities."

The U.S. offer from the White House was the release of Mr. Pollard in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners to be released, to satisfy the newer demands of the Palestinians. "According to the emerging deal, Pollard would be released before the Passover holiday", said an anonymous Israeli official who spoke also of Palestinian plans to walk away from the peace talks immediately after the Palestinian prisoner release, objective achieved.

And so, because Israel balked at releasing those additional prisoners, after the two previous prisoner releases had gained them nothing whatever, Mahmoud Abbas accused Israel of breaking a pledge. And he went forward to sign "State of Palestine" applications to 15 UN agencies. "We will apply to 15 agencies and conventions immediately", he announced the decision, unanimously supported by Fatah and the Palestine Liberation Organization - of course. Thus, incidentally breaking a pledge that he would do no such thing, in favour of proceeding with the 'peace' negotiations.

Many Israelis oppose Mr. Pollard's release under those circumstances, although his continued imprisonment represents cruel and unusual punishment for his actions, providing to Israel what amounted to the State's life-or-death data on the declared enemies surrounding it. Information one might have imagined could have been shared between allies; Israel and the United States. Israelis are conflicted over this, hoping for Mr. Pollard's release, agitating for it, but refusing the too-dear cost imposed upon them.

AP; Israeli demonstrator holds poster of Jonathan Pollard

A file photo shows an Israeli right-wing demonstrator holding a picture of Jonathan Pollard, a Jewish American who was jailed for life in 1987 on charges of spying on the United States, during a demonstration in Jerusalem.
(AFP Photo) - See more at: http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2014/04/01/jailed-israeli-spy-key-peace-talks/#sthash.4akC1gMZ.dpuf

A file photo shows an Israeli right-wing demonstrator holding a picture of Jonathan Pollard, a Jewish American who was jailed for life in 1987 on charges of spying on the United States, during a demonstration in Jerusalem.
(AFP Photo)

- See more at: http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2014/04/01/jailed-israeli-spy-key-peace-talks/#sthash.4akC1gMZ.dpuf

And, as Mr. Pollard himself appears opposed to the cost of his freedom being the release of 400 prisoners, many with Jewish blood on their hands, the event is not likely forthcoming. When Barack Obama was elected president, many hoped an agreement for Pollard's release could be secured. In 2011 Vice-President Joe Biden was reported to have said "President Obama was considering clemency but I told him, 'Over my dead body are we going to let him out before his time". Before his time? 26 years in prison for releasing data to Israel impacting on its security?

What kind of penalty would be exacted, if they could manage it, for Edward Snowden?