The axis of evil on the axis of time

WASHINGTON - U.S. Vice President Richard Cheney made a speech yesterday to the National Automobile Dealers Association, to which few people paid attention. About two hours before his boss, President George W. Bush spoke at the United Nations in New York, Cheney quoted from a biography of president Harry Truman, whose tenure also saw an armed conflict start that lasted for years. "I was interested to learn from Truman's biography that 'the Cold War' was an expression he never much cared for and seldom used. He called it 'the war of nerves'," Cheney said.

Cheney believes the present global conflict should also be given that name. In his own speech, Bush left little room for doubt that he still believes the journey on which he has embarked is part of "a great ideological struggle." He also believes it is a war of nerves, a process that will take a long time.

In Jerusalem and Washington, diplomats were scratching their heads yesterday trying to figure out what Bush meant in practical terms. If it contained one lesson, it would be in its total focus on the Middle East. Not one word about China, North Korea, Russia or Venezuela - important countries with which the U.S. has its differences. Not a word about the UN itself, and the reforms that were already implemented and those still ahead. Bush wants the world to assist with his Middle East project, and now is not the time to make him mad.

The axis of evil has been redistributed on an axis of time. Afghanistan was liberated first, then came Iraq. The war in Lebanon has just ended; the controversy with Iran is on-going and on the negotiating table now; the day will come for a settling of accounts with Syria's leaders. Bush devoted a particularly long portion of his address to the Palestinians. Anyone looking for hints that would contradict statements made by the senior adviser Philip Zelikow, who explained last week that an efficient struggle against Iran requires progress in the Israeli-Palestinian arena, would not find them.

Some senior Foreign Ministry officials were not especially surprised at Zelikow's statements, since he had already shared his theories with them some time ago. Some believe that Zelikow is expressing a true sentiment in the administration that more work has to be done in the Palestinian-Israeli arena. Others pointed to the renewed controversy yesterday in the Palestinian Authority, and said there was no real cause for concern because the Palestinians themselves would provide the excuse to refrain from pressure that could hurt Israel.

It was clear yesterday that Bush is now treading very carefully. He is pressured on all sides: by upcoming primaries, trembling European allies, and the dead-end war in Iraq. He has a double goal: to broadcast decisiveness, stability and faith in his path, but also moderateness, willingness for dialogue and partnership.

At a press conference with French President Jacques Chirac, the two went out of their way to emphasize the extent to which they are of one mind regarding Iran, and how closely they are coordinated. "I do not really understand what kind of controversy has arisen," Chirac thought out loud. He has been quoted over the past few days in large headlines after stating he did not believe in imposing sanctions on Iran, and some saw it as a sign that the front against Iran was crumbling.

Bush could not say a great deal yesterday, but rather only defined the field, as someone described it, for the Quartet when it came to the Palestinian issue, for the upcoming Security Council deliberations, for participants in the Iran talks, and for the rulers of Sudan who are ignoring resolutions regarding Darfur. "Great nations of the world are moving toward democracy. A new breeze is blowing through the door to freedom," he added.

But no - this is not George W. Bush speaking, it is his father, George H.W. Bush, and not yesterday in New York, but 17 years ago when he was sworn in. The words sound familiar, but the policy is completely different. And just like Bush's statements yesterday, they are more proof that speeches are just speeches.