[Economist-UK] It is not clear what Mr. Bush will bring his hosts in Jerusalem next week. The man who hoped his invasion of Iraq in 2003 was going to bring peace to Palestine and democracy to the Arabs has not exactly over-achieved. At the Annapolis summit, Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas promised to talk fearlessly to one another about "final status" issues, but these talks have already been soured by familiar complaints. Mr. Bush may listen sympathetically, but is unlikely to apply strong public pressure to Mr. Olmert. One reason for that is that America and Israel may be rather more focused on what to do about Iran. Mr. Bush is bound to be politely received by all the region's leaders even though, like other Americans before him, he has chosen to tour the Middle East very late in his presidency (Richard Nixon paid a visit just days before resigning to avoid impeachment).
2008-01-04 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive