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Original Commentaries
Setting the Record Straight
Keeping Focus on Long-Term Objectives
“[W]hile we do need to have a cooperative approach that involves many of our friends and allies in meeting with the Pakistanis, … as we work out with them a rough division of labor, the U.S., I believe, ought to be taking the lead in addressing the issues in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. And given the difficulty of doing so, I suspect that we will not have a great deal of difficulty in convincing them to allow us to take the lead there. But as we all know, there is a real tension between our short-term tactical aims in trying to capture or kill terrorists across the border and militants in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and our longer- term counterinsurgency pacification goals. We very much need to be focusing on the end state. What is it that we want this area to look like? ... In that context we need to have a common agenda with the Pakistani government and very much to include the military on counterinsurgency in that area. There needs to be, therefore, a focus on combining military efforts with economic, development and political development in those areas.”
—Robert L. Grenier, managing director and chairman for Global Security Consulting, Kroll, event, “Partnership for Progress: Advancing a New Strategy for Prosperity and Stability in Pakistan and the Region,” Center for American Progress, November 17, 2008
Middle East Analysis
July 22, 2008
"Supporters of the Lebanese government have long claimed that Israel is actively protecting the Assad regime in Syria and, in the process, undercutting the Saniora government. … In Beirut, it's widely feared that an Israeli-Syria deal would come at the expense of Lebanon. … Although it is a bitter pill for peacemakers in the Jewish state to swallow, by trucking with Syria now, Israel risks inadvertently contributing to the eventual establishment of Hizbullahstan on its northern border."
—David Schenker, senior fellow, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, "Israel, Don't Undermine Beirut," The Jerusalem Post, June 2, 2008 
"As its influence with [Hezbollah] diminishes, Syria can no longer promise to disarm Hezbollah's militia in the context of a peace treaty with Israel and a positive new relationship with the United States. It can, however, shut down the Iranian supply pipeline to Hezbollah through Syrian territory. … It is important that a new U.S. administration work with Israel and our Arab allies to concoct a strategy that can pry Syria away from Iran. … Thankfully, Syria appears open to a grand bargain, including perhaps one that could stabilize Lebanon without compromising that country's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity."
—Theodore H. Kattouf, former U.S. ambassador to Syria and the United Arab Emirates; president and CEO, AMIDEAST, “United States and Syria Should Talk (About Everything),” Common Ground News Service, July 15, 2008