Arming the Syrian rebels is a sordid business that makes me deeply uncomfortable. While I am generally supportive of Secretary of State John Kerry’s effort in the Middle East, there are worrying signs. I don’t think that Martin Indyk is the right choice to serve as envoy to the Israel-Palestinian talks, and getting the European Union to classify Hizbollah as a terrorist organization is only going to increase the Shiites’ and Alawites’ sense of besiegement. I’m also not sure what to make of Iraq’s move to initiate direct talks between the U.S. and Iran over Iran’s nuclear program.
The situation in Egypt is growing sketchier by the day, and moderate leaders in Tunisia are getting gunned down in the street.