Middle East Given a Position

¶ … Middle East [...] given a position of power as a strong international leader, what I would want the Arabs and Israelis to do to find a lasting peace, and what I would expect to happen. Historically, the Middle East has been at odds for centuries, and it does not seem any closer now to a lasting and viable peace any more than it has in decades. Personally, I do want the Israelis and Arabs to reach a lasting peace, but it seems there are so many differences between them that a lasting peace just may be a pipe dream - always hoped for but never quite attained.

The Arabs and Israelis must look beyond their obvious differences to find their obvious commonalities, and there are many. I would want them to explore these commonalities and expand on them, finding ways to creatively solve their differences rather than solving them with violence, hatred, and misunderstanding. As one author notes, "Neither side appreciates the depth of the other's perception of great asymmetry of power. Both sides must get close enough to feel each other's losses and to find means of transforming relationships" (Duffey). I would want small groups of people throughout the area to work together to solve their differences and to learn about each other. One-on-one relationships often show that we are much more alike than we are willing to admit, and it seems that these kinds of relationships could foster more understanding between Arabs and Israelis that could least to more peaceful and amicable relationships throughout the region.

I would also expect them to want peace. In a region that has been torn by violence and hatred for so long, it would seem that many residents must be tired of the process, and must wish for a better relationship and a better way of life. With Israel's commitment to eventual withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, it seems the first real extension of understanding has been created in a while, and that the two sides should expand on this showing of mutual respect, rather than allowing it to stand on its own. Continued efforts in mutual understanding seem to be the only way that a lasting peace can ever be created, and I would urge both sides to join in continued mutual understanding - working together to solve problems and create better understanding.

I would not truly expect lasting peace to come from my efforts, however. Politicians, religious leaders, and world experts have been calling for peace in the Middle East for years, and nothing seems to come of it. There is so much animosity and hatred in the region on both sides that it seems peace is simply not attainable, at least in the current form that both sides argue for. Each side has to be willing to make sacrifices, such as land and territory, but neither side is willing to go beyond a certain limit, and so, little of real consequence actually occurs. Therefore, without sounding too cynical, I would not expect a viable peace accord to be reached by my efforts.