HECK, AT LEAST HE'S TRYING

Thomas Friedman once more combines pithy analysis...

The whole history of the peace process can be reduced to one simple point: If the Palestinians persuade the Israeli center that they are ready to live side by side in peace, they will get a state; if they don't, they won't. Everything else is just commentary.

...with a creative, but flawed solution.

Bottom line: The region is more ripe than ever for a big U.S. initiative. Unfortunately, none of the leaders — American, Israeli or Palestinian — seem willing to step up to what's needed. That is, to create a transition structure in the West Bank and Gaza — a new mandate under U.S. or NATO supervision — that would oversee the gradual building of a responsible Palestinian Authority and the gradual unbuilding of settlements.

He does have one core element right - the building of a responsible Palestinian Authority will need a supervisory transition structure. Here's how his plan can be improved:

(1) Ripeness: The region is not yet ripe for this initiative because the Palestinians aren't convinced they lost the war and the Arab states don't take Palestinian reform seriously. Only a complete Israeli reoccupation will change this - making an international mandate a preferred solution to the status quo.

(2) Timing: Removing the isolated settlements gradually is a recipe for disaster - it needs to be done as early as possible so that the mandate can have legitimacy and extremists are given less time to scuttle the deal.

(3) Policing: Having U.S. or NATO troops hunting down Palestinian terror groups is a recipe for disaster. Security should be provided by the Arab states with the most vested interest in stability in the West Bank and Gaza - Jordan & Egypt.

If anyone knows how to reach Tom, forward this on to him. He is after all, our de facto Assistant Secretary of State for the region.