Report: U.S. considering strategic outreach to Hezbollah
Washington Post says Obama administration weighing dialogue with Lebanese militant group's political wing, in an effort similar to that attempted by U.K. in its dealings with Sinn Fein in the 1990s.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel news Lebanon HezbollahThe administration of U.S. President Barack Obama is considering reaching out to the political elements in Hezbollah, the Washington Post reported on Friday, stressing that the at this stage it was an intelligence effort, not a policymaking one.
In an opinion piece appearing on the newspaper's online edition, columnist David Ignatius indicated that Washington was considering an effort similar to the one the U.K, implemented "during the 1990s with Sinn Fein, the legal political wing of the terrorist Irish Republican Army."
 |
Hezbollah fighters parade during the inauguration of a cemetery for fighters who died while fighting Israel, in southern Beirut on Nov. 12, 2010. |
| Photo by: AP |
"That outreach led to breakthrough peace talks and settlement of a conflict that had been raging for more than a century," Ignatius wrote, adding that several U.S. officials were expected to endorse dialogue with political elements of both Hezbollah and the Taliban in an upcoming intelligence report.
Writing of the effect recent Mideast turmoil may have had on Obama's decision to accept these recommendations, the Washington Post writer said that the "political time bomb ticking away in the [intelligence report] is the question of whether the United States should seek some kind of direct or indirect engagement with Hezbollah — at least with its political wing."
"Officials who support this course argue that the organization is like the IRA or the PLO — with nonmilitary components that can be drawn into a dialogue," Ignatius added.
Ignatius quotes in his article one intelligence official, John Brennan, known for supporting a move toward dialogue with the Lebanese militant group, as saying that while "Hezbollah started out as purely a terrorist organization back in the early ’80s," it has "evolved significantly over time."
"The bottom line," the Washington Post article concluded, "is that after a decade of American wars in the Middle East, the Obama administration is increasingly looking for ways to talk with adversaries and draw them into a process of dialogue."
"The world is changing, and perhaps so should U.S. policy," he added.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
I really am beggining to think that obama IS a muslim sympathizer and IS seeking to change alliances. I think he is a very dangerous president whose advisors included really dont get these terrorist groups...hezbollah is NOT sinn fein and the taliban are not either ...sinn fein came from a judeo christian WHITE anglo saxon culture....VERY DIFFERENT than hezbollah, taliban, hamas and others...it just wont work. All that will happen is hezbollah and others will USE the US by talking out of both sides of their mouths, making them THINK they are getting somewhere...it simply wont work. This administration just has these wildly insane beliefs that they have somehow found a magic solution to these groups, as if ONLY THIS administration knows how to do it....its such arrogance and naivetee mixed together...
A new National Intelligence Estimate. This time the subject is Hezbollah... of all things. As if there's not enough to worry about in the Middle East. Best guess, the report will cover everything from their military and global capability... to politics and social welfare programs. But let's hope the report includes how Tehran funnels something between 60 and 100 million per year in hard-green cash. The part about negotiating with Hezbollah, like it was done with the PLO or the IRA. Is not something that can possibly work, because Hezbollah has a religious manifesto. It was said the report is meant for analysts and not policymakers. The problem will be how Washington maneuvers through the shock-waves this causes in Israel, post-Mubark Egypt or Saudi Arabia.
...be afraid, be very afraid.I have been saying this for a long time that a time will come when the US will just have to drop Israel and focus on their own interest.. In Lebanon, the US backed their pretty little boy darling Hariri against Hezbollah but he's proven himself far more incompetent than he can tie his shoelace. He chose to tango with Iran by confronting Hezbollah and got whacked out of power in a clever way.The guy doesn't play chess. All he can do now is call for rallies here and there and that's it.. The pillars of America's policy in the region depended heavily on dictators to survive but they all seem to be crumbling one by one these days. Israel isn't helping with matters much with their belligerence in the neighborhood. From the way things are going in the region, from Pakistan, S Arabia, Bahrain, etc it only makes sense to reach out to the other side if you want to survive. I predict the US will reach a sort of agreement/settlement with Iran & Syria in the near future..After all, the only thing standing in the way of these two countries is Iran's perceived nuclear weapons program, Israel's paranoia, and a few oil sheikdoms who just want to hang on their shaky thrones at all cost.It not sustainable. Israel has a good chance to at least demonstrate their willingness to reach a settlement with the Palestinian,one state - two state - whatever. However, with Bibi and the ex-Soviet bouncer in charge, this doesn't look likely. Interesting times people...
Syrian and Iranian camps are veeery clever... I'm skeptical.
that there is no chance to beat Hizbollah or Iran. The American century is definitely over. Yet Israel still does not see it.
hisballa is much more open minded and reasonable than you think, and a respectful intelligent partner to negotiate with... if however you prefer violence and intimidation you will find him as competent and intimidating.
always knew that hussein obama was one of them,and under this traitorous muslim president,the U.S has joined the axis of evil
Giving Israel money in hope that Israel would seek peace has never worked. Israel takes the money and then spits in America's eye, daring the president to do anything about it. Anything would be better than this.
Israel seems to prefer that nobody but Iran and Syria talk to Lebanon and one of its political parties. Should Obama bow to Netanyahu again?
To reach out to Islamo-fascist movements?? THESE are the lessons the misguided Obamists have learned from the yearnings of the Arab masses for democracy???
This wont go down to well in Israel..the last thing Israel needs is the US to have dialogue with its neighbours. That might result in a loss of military hardware and aid and they wont let that happen.. Israel needs the bogeymen
what are they able to give each other?what would hizballah want from the usa?there is nothing to discuss.
what would obama want from hizballah?would they disarm?offer to stop terrorising the lebanese?stop making threats to israel?get rid of their massive rocket arsenal? none of the above.like iran they want their fellow shites to get nukes.is that negotiable?
if the usa has failed with iran then hizballah is just a ditto.
what is there to negotiate?
You asked, What's to negotiate? It's your life, to keep you alive in Israel, that's the issue your Uncle Sam (US) wants to negotiate as your servant and puppet at US taxpayers expense, do you understand?
The Army Council got the police powers handed over, anyone who acts against the wishes of the Army Council is lucky to live 24 hours. Brown handed it over. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article708342.ece