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It is always very annoying when Presidents concerned with their legacy, having done not much of that which they originally intended to do, decide to tackle the Middle East “Peace Process” in the last year and a half of their terms. Whew! Thank goodness those American leaders are finally taking notice in the area and trying to cut deals to help end the decades of violence and tension with their great experience mediating and making deals. Go, Go Dr. Rice!

I at least give President Bush credit for taking an actual interest in Africa towards the start of his term (which is the OTHER legacy project lately). But this is the same guy that decided to not seriously pursue a leadership role when he came into office (just like he didn’t take the issue of Al-Qaeda seriously).

The current Bush Administration initially sought a less prominent role, and Secretary
of State Powell did not appoint a special Middle East envoy. Since the September 11, 2001,
the Administration has focused on the peace process as part of the war on terrorism.
Secretary Rice also has not appointed a special envoy, asserting, “Not every effort has to be
an American effort. It is extremely important that the parties themselves are taking
responsibility.

Why doesn’t anyone ever start trying to prepare for their legacy projects the first day in office? There may be an actual role in negotiating peace, but this is not something that a President of the United States can do in a year and a half. A President would have far more credibility if he or she started six years sooner. It has to play to the region that American Presidents, the hubristic beasts that they are, are also inept and of small intelligence to think they can swoop in and help create progress is a problem decades old and getting more complex by the year. In working in the Middle East, there’s no such thing as making up for lost time. How can the United States expect Middle Eastern leaders to commit to the painful concessions necessary for peace if the Presidents who try to intervene show little interest until the end up their presidencies?

If you ever want to make actual progress in the Middle East, and don’t simply want to score some sympathy points at home but actually want to decrease suffering in the world and create a more prosperous and secure world, start on inauguration day. Otherwise, even the President is an insignificant little thing chirping in a tempest.

Legacy? Get a peice of the Middle East! Yawn.