November 13, 2006

Will James Baker Stay True to Form?

By Ed Lasky
The Iraq Study Group (ISG), a purportedly bi—partisan group chaired by former Secretary of State James Baker and former Congressman Lee Hamilton, has been convening hearings and soliciting opinions from experts regarding the future course America should take regarding Iraq. This process has been taking place far from the glare of public lights — perhaps so as to not affect the midterm elections. However, now that the midterm elections are over, various leaks seem to have sprung. James Baker has been promoting his new book and actually tipped his hand a bit, as allusions have appeared in the press that the group will seemingly expand its mandate to cover the entire Middle East. If true, this has ominous implications for Israel, as various observers have indicated that the report will advise America to pressure Israel to make concessions to the Hamas—run Palestinian Government. This despite Hamas' oft—stated goal (in its founding Charter) to destroy Israel. While...(Read Full Article)