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# Posted 8:32 PM by Dan

DENNIS ROSS writes about the Middle East as credibly as anyone else. He was, after all, Director of Policy Planning for Daddy Bush and Special Envoy under Clinton. He wrote a great piece in the Washington Post today. While pessimistic, Ross is pretty realistic when it comes to options in the Middle East. First, Secretary of State Powell's trip did almost nothing. Ross correctly points out that Israel's military incursions have destroyed terrorist infatructure in the West Bank, but that solution is only temporary. We are left with three options: bypass Arafat, develop a timeline of mutual obligations, or unilateral separation. Support has been growing for this option, which does not solve the conflict, but creates a coherent defense line. My main objection to option number is three is strategic, not moral--I feel that settlements are morally and physically unsustainable. However, like Ross, I worry about the symbolic effect of withdrawing in light of the violence against Israeli citizens in the form of murder-suicide bombings (or, homicide bombings). Unilateral withdrawal could send a message that continued violence may produce additional territorial concessions. However, Israel will be far more justified in responding to attacks when they come from an area which they do not currently occupy. In that sense, option three involving the creation of a wall might be the best one for now.

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