"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear" - George Orwell
 

The battle for the mind of George W. Bush
 
In the ongoing war for Bush's ear, the pro-Israeli lobby appears to have gained the upper hand with the consequent growth of a very negative attitude towards the Arab nations and all things Islamic. The obvious collusion between Washington and Jerusalem on both the timing and the scope of the present military operations in the occupied territories leaves little doubt in the minds of many Arab leaders as to just where US sympathies rest at present. The rumbling of discontent in the Arab world, the growing rapprochement between previous dire enemies and the threat of disruption to the oil supply should be taken seriously in The Whitehouse. Despite traditional Arab disunity, the pressure that the US and Israel are exerting on the Muslim world may cause an unexpected and unwelcome backlash.
 
The Israeli offensive already deemed by many to be a sledgehammer used to crack a nut, has seen its overwhelming military advantage deployed against Palestinian para-militaries who have so far largely used only light infantry weapons in defence of the crowded and dilapidated towns, cities and refugee camps of the West bank. Israel's heavy handed and arrogant use of force has certainly damaged the ability of the terrorist groups to carry out a suicide bombing campaign in the short term, however they have successfully traumatized and alienated yet another generation of Palestinians thus creating potentially greater risks for the future.
 
Washington watched and waited until the Israelis had apparently achieved most of what can be expected from this operation
before President Bush was willing to call for a withdrawal from the occupied territories.  However, it is highly unlikely that 'effective' pressure will be exerted by Washington until Sharon, the Israeli General Staff and Intelligence services conclude that Arafats control over the security services has been undermined along with sufficient widespread destruction of the Hamas and Islamic Jehad  terrorist infrastructure has been achieved. An additional aspect to the timing of any Israeli withdrawal will be the effectiveness of those Delta Force and CIA officers believed to be operating in joint US-Israeli covert action teams against the Hezbollah-Al Qa'ida terrorists fighting alongside the Palestinians
 
Washington's real interests damaged by pro-Israeli stance?
 
Suggestions that thousands of US service personnel are being readied to deploy to the West Bank to implement a possible peace agreement which would only be signed under the greatest duress by Yasser Arafat will further distant US policy from Middle East reality. However the planners in the Pentagon are well aware of the legitimacy the involvement of US forces would give to any widescale Israeli invasion of the Lebanon to destroy the Iranian backed Hezbollah-Al Qa'ida terrorist base network situated in the Beka'a Valley and which is heavily protected by the Syrian armed forces.
 
Washington has grown openly impatient with continued Arab vacillation both on the issue of Palestine and the overall war on terrorism. Dismissing Islamic sensibilities comes easily to an Administration so heavily influenced by Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz and the military-industrial-energy lobby. Dissension, disunity and military weakness amongst the Arab nations makes it all too easy to lose sight of the inherent dangers of ignoring the overall interests of Muslim world.
 
The United States and its closest allies would be unwise indeed to lose touch with perhaps 1billion Muslims spread across more than half the world and controlling a huge slice of the remaining oil reserves, natural gas and other important resources.  However much sympathy the West naturally has for Israel and well deserved guilt over the holocaust, it cannot afford to go on damaging its long term relations with the Muslim world or its economic interests in this way.
 
Richard M. Bennett
 
 

AFI Research, The Ground Floor, 27 The Avenue, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 2BZ, UK.
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Richard M. Bennett is the author of FIGHTING FORCES a review of the worlds leading Armies, including many in the Middle East, published in September 2001 and is available from Barrons of New York  www.barronseduc.com  ISBN 0-7641-5343-9  and the forthcoming ESPIONAGE An encyclopedia of Spies and Secrets, which will be available from Virgin Books later this year.

Richard Bennett Media also provides coverage of specialist domestic Political, Social, and Law & Order issues and acts as consultants for international Film and TV Companies on military and espionage history. If quoting from this Media Briefing in anyway, please ensure that you credit Richard Bennett Media at all times

The AFI Research website lists many of our Associates and Contributors including  'America goes to War' at Orbat.com  and the defence coverage of Milnet.com.

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