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Implications of the Gaza Conflict

[Washington Institute for Near East Policy] Michael Singh - Israel must seek a ceasefire that corrects the shortcomings of the previous "calm." First, Arab states must press Hamas to stand down. Egypt, as Israel's standing intermediary with Hamas, will play a key role in negotiating a ceasefire, and as the only country besides Israel that borders Gaza, it will also play a central role in an agreement's enforcement. The international community will need to take a disciplined approach to the ceasefire negotiations and stand firmly behind the resulting agreement and assist in its enforcement. Active U.S. diplomacy will be needed to avoid a misguided wave of European and Arab outreach to Hamas, which would reward the group for its violence by easing its isolation. Allowing Hamas' actions to go unpunished, or even worse, allowing the group to improve its position as a result of them, would give succor to terrorists worldwide. Finally, Arab states - as well as the international community - must hold the Iranian regime accountable for its efforts to destabilize the region by more vigorously participating in U.S.-led sanctions efforts. The writer is former senior director for Middle East affairs on the National Security Council.
2009-01-07 06:00:00
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