Give talking a chance

Benjamin Netanyahu didn't have to stand at the United Nations General Assembly podium and make a mockery of its 60 or so year existence and purpose two weeks back. It is not a world forum to point fingers, taunt or jolt accusations at one another, or for the most part display artifacts of the past as evidence of an event that happened sixty years ago. It is not a court hearing or an international tribunal to voice animosity or pity at your foes. Look at Ahmedinajad straight in the eye and settle your differences on a table, talk peace not war, talk life not death, talk, just talk; give talking a chance. Enough bull from both the Israeli's and Iranians.

Syria: War wager to Peacemaker?

Nicolas Sarkozy, for the past week or so has been on a mission to see a government finally be put in place in Beirut. France, by hosting Syria's foreign minister Mouallem and sending dignitaries to the region has recently stepped up efforts with mounting pressure on the Lebanese to come up with an internal solution that would benefit the region as a whole. The cabinet formation falisy has been dwindling on and on for the past few months with either side letting go of stubborn stances that have produced nothing but a gridlock situation. Regional players have significant issues at stake with the Iranian Nuclear program for one, spearheading one of the many political disputes being fought on Lebanese soil. Syria's new found role in enabling the U.S perform a silent yet dignified retreat from Iraq, helping keep Hizbullah at bay from attacking Israel, and somewhat isolating Iran has placed Damascus as a strategic ally on the Global war on Terror. In turn, the STL ( Special Tribunal for Lebanon) hasn't shown much progress after recent new found Syrian influence has prompted the west to think more positively towards their change in behaviour. The P5 plus 1 meeting with Iranian nuclear representatives will somehow try and diffuse a destabilizing situation by involving a third party country, most probably Russia to help with the enrichment of uranium under the watchful eyes of U.N investigators and the IAEA. This could be regarded as a temporary solution to the Iranian problem that is quickly slipping out of hand. The U.S must remain tough on key demands requested of Iran, yet show a more lenient side with Tehran when disscusing their self proclaimed victorious withdrawal  from Iraq in months to come. As long as Iran seeks nuclear energy at the expense of the area, and Syria obstructs the Lebanese from establishing a government, Israel will remain ready in defiance to strike either nation or their proxy militias including Hizbullah. Syria, once again, and without surprise will have to be the mediator to undo knots and be called upon from the U.S to provide stability in Lebanon which in turn will defuse the growing Israeli and Iranian standoff. Time and time again Lebanon will be in the spotlight, face stagnation, suffer and bear the grunt of the wheeling and dealing of its more powerful neighbors surrounding it.