Shadow of Baker-Hamilton report on AIPAC conference

Mehdi Shakibayi: Political observers are now more than ever before witnessing a stark contrast between the Israeli foreign policy and that of the US, particularly as regards the Middle East. The contrast stems from ‘a difference of priorities’ that came about for the first time after the Israeli defeat during the Lebanese 33-day war in 2006.

The contrast of priority surfaced in 79-page Baker-Hamilton report that stipulated strategic recommendations for the future US plans in Iraq in a bid to exit a deadlock the country faced there. Many observers believe that the report reflected public discomfort with the ideological, one-sided, adventurous and war-mongering policy of the neo-conservatives led by George W. Bush.

The neo-cons preferred Israeli ME policy over the US policy in the region and in implementing the bid it would adopt any action that might secure the Israeli security even at the cost of the security of US citizens.

The Baker-Hamilton appraisal, actually considered as the US future strategy in the Middle East, noted that the US failure was blamed on it preference of the Israeli interests over those of the US citizens.

The most significant recommendation of the report was about the Palestinian issue and how to deal with Israel. The report turned into strategy for Barak Obama government while on the other side, Israel has decided to put war affairs top on its agenda.
 
The contrast of priority further surfaced in the settlement expansion issue, US ties with Islamists in Tunisia and Egypt (after the Islamic awakening), US institutes report on the peaceful nature of Iranian nuclear program, and Syria’s dossiers with the US seeking negotiations-based solutions while Israel seeks an ouster.

While American authorities are seeking to resolve their numerous problems (economic crisis and growth of strategic rivals) Israelis seek to wage a new war and change the playground so as to exit the crisis.

We must wait to see whether the US citizens are ready to pay the cost of Israeli follies following the emergence of unprecedented phenomena like the Occupy Wall Street and Occupy AIPAC movements. It seems the citizens are never ready to pay the cost. On the authorities’ side, Democrats are waiting for an exit of extremist Likud officials from power and coming to office of moderate Kadima or Labor authorities.

Traditionally and historically, when Republicans hold grip on power, Likudi authorities gain office in Israel while they might lose office when Democrats come to power. The situation however has not swayed in the scene of Israel-US relations, leading to more schism between the two sides as regards the priorities in foreign policy.