Peace in the Middle East remains an elusive goal. Yet a failure to engage has profound consequences for America’s security interests and home and abroad. The next President will have no choice but to return to balance-of-power diplomacy in the Middle East that includes bilateral negotiations with Iran; regional security agreements; and getting the Arab-Israel peace process back on track.
Recommendations
The next President should support policies that include these specific elements:
- a renewed effort at Arab-Israeli reconciliation that might also split the Syrian regime from Iran containment of the spillover effects of civil war in Iraq
- negotiations with Iran to attempt to head off its nuclear ambitions, including bilateral engagement to address broader concerns
- regional security arrangements to contain the Iranian threat and prevent a Middle East nuclear arms race, if necessary, sheltering our allies under a nuclear umbrella
- a political and economic reform agenda that helps create a new social contract between Arab governments and their citizens
- in less secure countries, an emphasis on building democratic institutions more than holding democratic elections
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Opportunity 08 aims to help 2008 presidential candidates and the public focus on critical issues facing the nation, presenting policy ideas on a wide array of domestic and foreign policy questions. The project is committed to providing both independent policy solutions and background material on issues of concern to voters.
