Mideast peace under Obama?

So now that President Obama has arbitrarily ended the Iraq war...(A war he never supported and never wanted to see succeed) via a controversial artificial timeline…he can focus his efforts on more important matters (to him). NO! not the economy…Mideast peace for goodness sakes.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I wish him well. I would love to see this happen. While it’s a huge long-shot, Obama may be uniquely positioned to do it. Not because of his good track record on Israel or his close relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu…but because of his lack of both.

The president and his administration failed to publicly support Israel’s right to use military force to uphold it’s blockage during the Turkish flotilla crisis. And Obama chose to side against Israel during the Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference (the United States accepted language calling on Israel to join the NPT and supporting a conference in 2013 on a nuclear-free Middle East). Israel was left all by itself in opposition.

No, President Obama hasn’t been as Pro-Israel as past presidents…especially George W. Bush. But those past ties have been traditionally due to common Judeo-Christian values, something President Obama has shown little interest in championing (just to be clear…before I get misquoted…I did not just call him a Muslim).

So perhaps now the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will have just a little more trust that the U.S. (under Obama) will not automatically side with Israel in the talks, and more importantly, in the enforcement of the terms thereafter. And that would certainly help as it seems Netanyahu is ready to deal. Of course that would require Obama to be around for a second term...which given the current course and speed...is questionable at best.

Of course none of this matters if both parties aren't willing to own the problem and accomplish all that needs to be accomplished.  So what will it take..exactly? Here's my Mideast peace checklist:

1. Palestine (and the region) need to acknowledge and respect Israel's right to exists as a sovereign nation.
2. Israel needs to offer true concessions (stop building in the west bank) and support a Palestinian state.
3. Palestinians and Arab nations must acknowledge and respect Mahmoud Abbas' decisions
4. All violence against Israel must stop
5. All parties must trust the US and UN commitment to unbiased help enforce the terms of the agreement

Perhaps Obama's relatively poor relationship with Israel will be an asset to accomplishing these goals.  Perhaps not.  Good luck Mr. President.  Either way, I am rooting for you.  No really...I am.