The Middle East Master Plans: “Circle of Peace” or Squared Pacts?

 “Politicians make pacts; People make peace.” – Joseph A. Califano, Jr. and Leonard Hausman, 1982

“Power is not good or bad per se…If a country has too few power resources, it is less likely to obtain its preferred outcomes. But too much power (in terms of resources) has often proved to be a curse when it leads to overconfidence and inappropriate strategies. David slew Goliath because Goliath’s superior power resources led him to pursue an inferior strategy, which in turn led to his defeat and death.” – Joseph S. Nye, Jr.

Avarice has led to the downfall of many and is especially concerning when you learn such greedy bastards are players in your circle. In my October 2019 paper “Facebook’s Calibra and Libra – “Mastercoins” and the “Circle of Trust?” I offer a personal account.

As a child, I masterminded and kept pushing the idea that some “gold” colored foil wrapped chocolate coins were rare, “Mastercoins.” How?  I purchased large quantities of these “gold” coins. Then I publicly traded my bike for 10 Mastercoins amongst my “circle of friends.”

In time, I expanded my circle of friends to other neighborhoods. Then, some in my circle of friends broke the “circle of trust” by pocketing others’ coins mixing them with the Mastercoins. Outsiders and some in my circle of friends developed a network of platforms whereby they could trade their “dirty” coins for Mastercoins to buy real “high value assets.”

It’s funny how child’s play of trading among a “circle of friends” can lead to breaking a “circle of trust” for real high stakes platforms. Will online users trust Libra’s Association and what appears to be a “circle of trust” of current members and any future members? Mark Zuckerberg says “It’s decentralized — meaning it’s run by many different organizations instead of just one, making the system fairer overall…”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will your “Circle of Peace” be decentralized? Or, will it simply be squared pacts run by one or a few? As long as politicians play with peoples’ land partitioning it and manipulating its resources as a function for powerful interests, the people cannot live in peace, no matter the number of “peace deals.”

To understand the recent “peace deals” one needs to revisit the earlier U.S. proposed “peace plan” to Palestine. Interesting, noting Hammarskjold resettlement plan of Palestinian refugees, Golda Meir is asked if she felt sorry for them. She replied, “Of course I do. But pity is not responsibility, and the responsibility for the Palestinians isn’t ours, it’s the Arabs.” It appears some Arabs have forsaken this idea of responsibility. Fortunately, not all.

For those who seek actual “peacenik,” they may wish to revisit its foundation. Joseph A. Califano, Jr. writes of when in 1982 Leonard Hausman, professor at Brandeis University visited him promoting the idea, “Why not found an academically based institute, a private not-for-profit, that can bring Israelis and Arabs together the way you wanted to at HEW?”

Says Califano, Hausman argued that “academics in Israel and Egypt tended to be more open-minded and liberal; ‘by Middle Eastern standards even peacenik.’” Founded by both Califano and Hausman, the “Institute for Social and Economic Policy in the Middle East was founded on the principle, “politicians make pacts; people make peace.” 

Almost forty years later, politicians that make pacts have emerged. So, who stands to benefit from these “pacts?” Countries participating in commerce and exchanging technology and weapons for prime locations of air rights and future resources.    

Prime Locations: Striking “Peace Deals” or “Striking Gold?”

“One can build and rebuild a city and state; One cannot build a homeland and secure it at the cost of another’s land, rights, and livelihood without incurring a high price as descendants of the Founders of U.S. have learned.” – Leticia Matlock

Palestine, proponents of these so called “peace plans” would have you believe that “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” One “peace bird” in exchange for the “geese that lays the golden eggs.” Israel’s technological and weapons advances and Palestine Land Development and Resources in exchange for Defense Prime Locations.

Real Estate in the U.S. has a well-known slogan, “Location, Location, Location.” I understood this working in the industry and in government with City Planners in California. Recall America’s “Deals of the Century” shortly before the 2008 financial crisis? Naïve buyers were blamed. Others pointed to banks and brokerage houses seen as the facilitators, dishonest brokers.

Is the U.S. President acting as an “honest broker” or real estate agent looking to make a high commission on prime locations? Based on the Palestinian leader’s initial response, the President did not close the deal.

In past negotiations, U.S. presidents have attempted to be the one to help broker a deal between Israel and Palestine. After Kennedy, some found it easier to land on the moon than helping to strike peace deals in the Middle East. As it stands, Congress has been unsuccessful to do so between the rights of gun ownership and right to security. Two sides of the same coin?

My August 2018 paper, U.S. National Security Special Report – Remotely Disabling Weapons presents proposals ideally suited to address the current gun debate as the policy strikes a balance between people exercising their “right to guns” and people exercising their “right to security.”

Interestingly, the U.S. President referred to his proposed plan for peace between Israel and Palestine as “striking a balance.” It appears that the President, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Jared Kushner may have come across my proposal. However, if the Commander in Peace has not been able to strike a balance for the nation he represents, how does he intend to do so for two countries he does not?

Some Presidents strike deals and others break them. The one currently in office is reportedly familiar with Real Estate and the importance of prime locations. Sir, Mr. President, do you see the Middle East as a “Buyers’ Market?” Based on the recent pacts it appears so but Palestine is not selling.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in applauding the U.S. President, pointed to the Jerusalem Embassy and Golan Heights. Or, what some would call prime locations. It seems the U.S. and other countries are interested in investing in Israel. But how do they justify the continuous reports of annexations?

Israel’s actions and the inactions of Palestine’s leaders have not only been slowly striping the Palestinians peoples of their land, rights, culture, and history but have exacerbated their economic situation. U.S., did your plan include harsh stipulations? And what historic data is missing?

Jewish resiliency was facilitated by two superpowers: U.S. which waited to intervene after 12 years of Nazi rule while turning away many Jewish families; and Britain’s land expropriation and the “policy of freezing ownership once land had been transferred into Jewish hands was maintained” as argued by David Kretzmer.

It is important to remember that “the Government of Israel inherited the lands that had belonged to the British…but most of these were uncultivatable, waste lands…the cultivable land, was owned by the Arabs…” To be clear, the land was later appropriated by the State during the Arab “flight and expulsion” and deemed abandoned and rightly claimed by Israel. But, by this logic, the land and property seized from the fleeing Jewish people in Europe during Nazi rule should not be returned to the Jews?

I recall listening to a March 29, 2016 conversation between Rabbi Mark Golub, President of Jewish Broadcasting System (JBS) and Mark Langfan, President of Americans for a Safe Israel on the subject of the “West Bank Map.”

Langfan put forth a relief map to illustrate the “problems that would be created for Israel were the West Bank high ground to come under Palestinian control.” Although Langfan made some compelling arguments, two reasons impede my being convinced: Topographic Significance and Timing. 

I find it suspect that no past President, or negotiators, on behalf of both Israel and Palestine did not have access to the information, let alone bring forward the criteria that Langfan clearly points out. According to Langfan, “Israel build water sewage treatment plants. Palestine refused to do the same, resulting in water running downhill.” He noted that the area was co-managed under the water commission. Who does the commission represent?

To be fair, some Democrats are known for engaging in “blind justice” to counter bipartisan support for Israel. Langfan was alerted by the State Department of their sentiments, “Israel was stealing the Palestinian water.” However, Langfan points out that “when you talk about the West Bank in terms of settlements…the Palestinians have refused to build water pipes…” Moreover, he argues that “when Palestinians took over the Gaza strip…” the few in power controlled access to the water supply of the West Bank.

There’s no question that water crises are predominant in war torn countries and in conflict zones like Israel-Palestine. Geopolitical decisions come at the cost of Israel’s peace and security and at the high price of lives, human rights and economic hardship of the peoples of Palestine.

Painfully for land and home owners, land annexation has been followed by settlements of prime locations as foreclosures and bank repossessions resulting in home sales in the U.S.

U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem- First Move in “Peace Plan”

In a 1972 interview, Hussein of Jordan reportedly stated that “Jerusalem should never be anyone’s private property. Jerusalem is as sacred to the Muslims as it is to the Christians and Jews…” Today, little is sacred; especially for those whose business is Real Estate.

Based on the messenger, President Trump, some decline to accept the proposed peace plan. But in “shooting the messenger,” they fail to direct their aim towards those who shaped the message. One need not look far to find these “free thinking” individuals who have professed their three criteria in supporting messengers: Life, Religious Freedom, and Israel. Naturally, proponents of “free markets” vested interests support Security, Energy, Defense, Capital Markets, Commerce, Land Developers… Or, what some see as, “For God and Country.”

To best understand the strategy and plan, one needs to go back to Israel’s first move, relocating the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Observing this first repositioning, it became clear the interests were Political, Security, and Economic.

Listening to Members of the U.S. Subcommittee on National Security, I obtained insight as they voiced their arguments for moving the embassy to Jerusalem, following up with my  questions:

No, Chair DeSantis, this does not “demonstrate American leadership.” Posturing with iterations of security concerns in Tel Aviv while reiterating U.S. stance of being a “strong horse” appear contradictory. Rep Meadows, you naively asked “how the very presence of a building in Jerusalem is going to create a national security issue…and you don’t have any empirical data to support that…?” Sir, the very presence of two buildings in the U.S. created an enormous national security issue and yes, we have supporting data. Rep. Issa, if you find the 5 Star King David Hotel “digs” unacceptable, the embassy in Tel Aviv “dated,” and traveling from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem difficult, then it may be time to step down.

To Washington:  Israel is not your resort or private property, in spite of DeSantis claim that “the embassy can be relocated to one of the sites in Jerusalem the U.S. already controls.” Do Israelis need the U.S. to speak and decide for them? Debate should be reserved to the parties who live on this land, Israel and Palestine.

Land, Master Planners, False Prophets and Brotherhood

As a child, I recall the large puzzle pieces where one filled in a board template design of a country and its regions. I thought it fun to interchange the pieces across the boards and see what it would look like. When I was done playing, my teacher looked at all the boards laid across the floor and remarked, “You know, the reason your boards are not fitted smoothly is because your pieces are all in the wrong places.” I asked her who decided their “right place?” She didn’t respond. I told her the reason you see chaos is because you’ve been used to seeing them the same way for years. I now decided to change the boards’ designs. Years later, I found myself rethinking situations; from familiar static forms to their endless possibilities and functions.

Land is not simply a delineated form on a piece of paper. It has arcs, crests, slopes, nadirs, crowns…  Only those who work the land or walk the dessert can truly appreciate their depth and beauty. All the senses are aroused from the sights of magnificent mountains and endless desserts to the rivers, lakes, and seas to the tastes of the harvest to the scents of the flowers and earth’s minerals to the sounds of whirlwind through the trees and sand storms.

Master Planners are critical to a city’s and country’s future plans. Silicon Valley and other Northern cities of California recent reported exodus of people comes as no surprise given the economic state of affairs. Interestingly, this state, specifically the northern region, houses some of the best city planners. Working for the City of Newport Beach, I came across several of similar stature specializing in Urban Management, Environmental Planning and Development.

U.S. Defense and Business sectors took notice as did the Middle East. If one looks closely, you will find America’s best working in places like the City of Riyadh in projects and programs like those to implement the Metropolitan Strategy for Riyadh (MEDSTAR). Or, in the southwest of Saudi Arabia where reportedly efforts were put into place to construct affordable units in the Kingdom under the direction of the Saudi Ministry of Housing.

Technological advances and innovations transportation have situated Israel in an ideal position to experiment with wireless electricity. Recent reports of pilot projects in Tel Aviv point to reengineering of roads to facilitate the transportation of electric vehicles. In the horizon, I can see Middle Eastern countries partake in Environmental Planning and Development through the use of electric vehicles, wind and solar power.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the UAE and others have long been thinking in terms of the future and taken action. Ruling over their land for centuries, they have strategically prepared themselves within the geopolitical spectrum. Still, unlike the West, Middle Eastern leaders  understand the true significance of peace.

Rabbi Mark Golub commented on the proposed U.S. Peace Plan with Palestine, “right deed, wrong person.” Rabbi, right for whom? If a “right deed” why did Palestine reject it? Another “missed opportunity” on their part? Or, was it as you say wrong person?

False prophets have been known to profess wrong words. Rabbi Golub has in the past noted that “classical Arabic does not have the word compromise.” Prof. Mordechai Kedar explains that “Language reflects culture. Compromise is a modern word… Allah does not compromise, negotiate, he commands you.”

Gentlemen, does this not apply to men and dictators? Recall those in the West who have for years preached that they do not “negotiate with terrorists.” Taliban may disagree as evidenced by their “handshake” with Western leaders.

Prof. Kedar and Rabbi Golub, some may also question your observations on the word “compromise.” Dr. Taha Jabir al-Alwani and Dr. Imad al Din Khalil are the authors of “The Ethics of Disagreement in Islam,” prepared from the original Arabic by Abdul Wahid Hamid, The International Institute of Islamic Thought, Herndon, Virginia USA.

In Chapter Ten, “The Way Forward,” under the section Brotherhood and Solidarity, it is written:

“We have seen the deep respect and consideration which the early Muslims had for one another and their commitment to the unity and brotherhood of Muslims. No one should jump to the conclusion, however, that our keenness to preserve the brotherhood and solidarity of Muslims implies any negligence of the fundamental Islamic beliefs which are not open to any speculation or compromise. The determination to confront the enemies of the Ummah will prevent us from joining hands with those who do not have any affinity with Islam.”

My professors of Religion and Middle East Studies agreements were few. Yet, according to  them Muslim and Jew have more in common than differences. Still the Muslim Brotherhood appears to have different dimensions and causes. In a Foreign Affairs paper, “The Moderate Muslim Brotherhood,” Robert S. Leiken and Steven Brooke note that:

“…the Brotherhood’s failure to stress the religious dimension incenses the jihadists, who mock the Brotherhood (including Hamas) for conducting jihad “for the sake of territory” rather than for the sake of Allah. Compare the statement from the Brotherhood’s Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who argues that “the enmity between us and the Jews is for the sake of land only,” with this one from Zawahiri: “God, glory to him, made the religion the cause of enmity and the cause of our fight.”

No question, land and religion are central to Muslims. Christians, does this not sound familiar? Right, “For God and Country.” And yet, Jews, beholden to Christians, having put their differences aside to make “peace deals” with their Muslim brothers from afar are unable to do so with those nearby, Palestinians. Why? Are the long history of pre conditions on the table unacceptable?

History tells us that during a rise in competing ancient philosophies transforming into religions, Christianity prevailed primarily because of their openness to incorporate others ideas and or principles. Of course, their unique notions of conversion facilitated their numbers whether done willing or forcibly as the now few Indians of the Americas have documented.

Opened Ports of Peace. Palestinians?

“Peace with the Palestinians will open ports of peace all around the Mediterranean. The duty of leaders is to pursue freedom ceaselessly, even in the face of hostility, in the face of doubt and disappointment. Just imagine what could be.” – Shimon Peres

Peace is voiced by leaders, religious and secular. But what exactly does it mean? How one nation defines peace may differ from another. For example, the recent Israel-UAE Peace Deal is said to include social, cultural, and technological trade yet, still appears more aligned with Security, Military, and Defense Weapons.

Immediate conflict resolution between Palestine and Israel does not appear to be the plan. I found one particular deal makers’ responses very telling. In an interview with the highly renowned Correspondent and Journalist, Christiane Amanpour, Anwar Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Fairs responded to the question “What material change will happen in the wake of this formalizing of your relationship with Israel?”

Anwar Gargash: “It’s not really resolving the Palestinian/Israeli issue, but it is buying time in order for a resumption of these negotiations… Clearly, 70 years of not communicating with Israel has led us nowhere. And I think we need to shift to a new method of doing things. And that method simply is we can disagree with you on political issues, but we can work together in  nonpolitical issues…that is really the crux of the deal, Christiane.” 

It appears some Arab countries are thinking more of missed opportunities than peace.

In Immanuel Kant’s “To Eternal Peace” there is a distinction between the “forms of state (or ruler ship)” and the “form of government.”  The state can be that of an autocracy, aristocracy and democracy.  The third is a really a despotism and the other two simply make the third possible. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referring to President Trump stated, “The greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House.” Yes, Prime Minister, but it is this friendship for which some have made it their life mission to target Jews in your Homeland and in the other land they call home, the U.S.

Again, it seems rather precarious to “fluff one’s feathers.” Prime Minister, by virtue of this unique friendship and alliance, your State, your Homeland, can be seen as guilty by association. Sir, you may feel secure standing by who you see as the most powerful leader, but not all Israelis feel secure nor a majority of American Jews. Why?

In part, for some of the reasons you applauded the President. To summarize your list: Jerusalem Embassy, Golan Heights, Iran Deal, Eliminating Soleimani, Hamas disarmament, and Gaza demilitarization. Adding to this list is the so called “peace deals.” But be reminded that nothing last forever. “The rope of lies is short.”  Recall, when asked if this “peace deal” would be forever, UAE Minister of State Anwar Gargash replied, “Nothing is forever.”

Mahmoud Abbas, Palestine’s leader was not present at your event. So I’ll interject what he once reportedly stated, “We need international support so that our people live a life of normality, of dignity, of liberty and freedom. I hope that our cry for freedom may be heard.”

Interestingly, his words are similar to that on the pages of a BDS movement website.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, as the stipulations of the “peace plan” of your “greatest friend” make it difficult for Palestine to successfully counter you in Israel, they appear to have successfully obtained international support by taking the fight to Jews in the U.S and around the globe.

“Coming Full Circle”

The first quarter of the 21^st century encircled remnants of the past with new ideas for the future. Moving forward, will Palestine make decisions based on reports of family rivalry and leaders’ self-interests continuing on this front for another 50 years? Or, will decisions be based on what is best for the Palestinian people?

By the same token, will Israel make decisions standing behind U.S. shadow? If so, is Israel prepared to sustain a similar high price darkly manifested on the ring of the circle of time as that of a tree’s trunk?

Henry the VIII in Robert Bolt’s A Man for All Seasons comes to mind. Yes, “Where you stand depends on where you sit.” But be reminded that sitting on another’s land is the last thing the peoples of a land will stand for. To all the peoples and leaders of nations who sit in the Middle East, where do you stand on these “peace deals?” Security or Rights?

Uncertainty is predominant in our world. The 11^th Century Persian mathematician Omar Khayyám conveys through his poetry, “The Moving Finger Writes; and, having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line…”  Before the ink of your signature dries, plans take motion and are unstoppable as the ripples forming across a pond after the first thrown pebble lands on the water.

Perhaps those blinded by a quest for power have lost their senses along with their soul. Time may prove Joseph S. Nye, Jr. right. If so, behold as Goliaths with “good intentions” lay on the peaceful “road to hell” falling like dominos from the ripple effect.