Iran behind Rice's Mid-East tour: From the BBC

[springhill]

Why did Condoleezza Rice come to Israel and the West Bank earlier this week?

By all accounts, the US secretary of state had no fresh ideas to offer to revive what used to be called the Middle East peace process.

Both the Palestinian and Israeli sides have governments too weak to handle any major initiative.

Aides on all sides played down the prospects of any progress. It seems they were right. So why come at all?

Many Arab and Israeli commentators have found the same answer: Iran.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5414788.stm

[wakeme2008]

1. Later down in that piece

Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has now been unmasked, by Bob Woodward in his book State of Denial, as someone to whom President George W Bush turns for advice.

:grr: Kissinger

[peacetalksforall]

2. They travel to prepare for more killing, maiming, and debt. Take

a look at where we're at in our democratic history:

Travel to find peace:
President Jimmy Carter
President Bill Clinton
and staff

Travel to make war in the Middle East:
President George H W Bush
President George W Bush
or staff

[malaise]

3. Anytime she travels

it's to stir up trouble. No surprise here.