Submitted by Daniel Dubei (United States), Aug 24, 2006 at 22:46
Dr. Pipes,
Thank you for answering. I actually did not think you would. My questions were a bit abrasive and aggressive. I'm frankly rather tired that so many Americans talk so easily about wars in the Middle East. I read the links to the articles you've posted, "Israel Shuns Victory," and "How Israel Can Win," and I'm a bit surprised.
Not once in both of those articles did you even talk about how Israel made peace with two of its Arab neighbors, Egypt and Jordan, and what the situation was that arose in both those countries signing peace treaties with Israel. This befuddles me, and makes my first assertion that many Americans don't really want to see Israel at peace with her neighbors a bit more credible.
What made Egypt sign a peace treaty with Israel? Who were the players involved? What concessions did the parties make for a peace treaty? What prices did they have to pay? Same question for Israel's peace treaty with Jordan in 1994. Why don't "experts" weigh in on how peace was ACTUALLY achieved between Israel and her Arab nations, even with the Palestinian problem not resolved?
You mention that victory means a "defeat" of the enemy, wherein one opponent gives up his or her goals. Why did Egypt and Jordan give up their goals of removing Israel off the map? How was America involved? Did Americans goad Israel into fighting Egypt and Jordan, or did they (under those American presidents) try to get both parties talking to each other?
Most importantly, has either Egypt or Jordan lobbed any rockets into Israel since signing peace treaties with Israel? Has either Egypt or Jordan sent troops in to invade Israel since signing peace treaties with Israel? I want to hear "experts" talk about Egypt and Jordan and why they made peace with Israel. I want to not hear "experts" talk about war war war. Can you do that?
Thank you, Dan
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