An extensive article published in the Jerusalem Post this weekend examined David Makovsky’s thoughts on the Middle East and the peace process as it stands today. It also looks at the themes and impact of Myths, Illusions, & Peace. Here’s a quote from the article:
Seizing the moment
by Haviv Rettig Gur
Myths, Illusions and Peace is at its core an argument against the theory that has been popular for many years among Arabists and policy wonks in Washington, one repeated by too many Arab leaders to ignore: That the Middle East’s deep and abiding tensions draw much of their energy from the conflict with Israel, and specifically the unfair fight between Israel and the Palestinians.
This argument has profound ramifications for policymaking. Linkage can harm peace, as in the initial reluctance of the Carter administration to help launch the Israeli-Egyptian peace process because they were not convinced that Sadat’s idea to break with the Arab consensus could work.
