Who’s Forging a Position on Syria?

It is hard to separate fact from fiction as Washington readies for the summit between the Syrian Foreign Minister and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak this week. Even before the summit takes places there are a number of rumors or in some cases carefully orchestrated leaks, that deserve attention. One such rumor – probably leak – was reported in today’s Washington Post.

It is hard to separate fact from fiction as Washington readies for the summit between the Syrian Foreign Minister and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak this week. Even before the summit takes places there are a number of rumors or in some cases carefully orchestrated leaks, that deserve attention. One such rumor – probably leak – was reported in today’s Washington Post. According to the Post, “There is talk that Barak may enlist James Carville, Stanley Greenberg and Bob Shrum, the American political consultants who guided his successful election campaign last spring to help the government win the referendum.”

The referendum referred to was passed into law by the Knesset in 1998. While the actual wording hasn’t been decided on yet, a simple majority of the Israeli population will be asked to vote yes or no on the question of territorial withdrawal from the Golan Heights. Regardless of the final vote in the Knesset, the Golan’s disposition will ultimately lie in the hands of the Israeli public.

It is no secret that Carville, Greenberg and Shrum do not act without the blessing of the President. What does sending a “Clinton” team to Israel with the specific task of constructing a campaign to win the referendum (and here win translates to withdrawal from the Golan) mean? If the team goes, is this at Barak’s request or a gift to the Prime Minister from the President? An offer Barak couldn’t refuse? To what lengths is this administration prepared to interfere with Israeli politics, security and foreign policy? And, it doesn’t hurt to keep in mind that this is the same James Carville who just three weeks ago proclaimed on Sunday morning news programs that he is going to New York to “get Rudy” just like he got Netanyahu and Starr. What segment of the Israeli public is he out to get now?

The Israelis will do what they are going to do. They must be the ones to decide on their security and the security of their children. Pay attention to leaks like this one. It already shows the potential of huge holes in any deal and who is pulling the strings. And it’s not just Assad.