Nancy Pelosi conducted her own version of shuttle dipomacy with the bloody dictator Assad, whose country has been on the State Department's list of state's sponsors of terrorism since 1979. She was then smacked down by Israeli Prime Minister Olmert. Cenk Uygur thinks that, as a result of this scenario, Pelosi somehow came out a winner politically. But when even the liberal Washington Post thinks Pelosi took a "pratfall," it's difficult to believe that Pelosi scored points with anyone but members of the hard-core left.
Uygur asserts that Pelosi faithfully transmitted a message from Israel to Syria, and that Prime Minister Olmert was simply putting on a show when he mopped up for Pelosi. Uygur provides no evidence for this spin, and the Washington Post certainly didn't buy it. According to the Post, "Ms. Pelosi not only misrepresented Israel's position but was virtually alone in failing to discern that Mr. Assad's [statement that Syria was readly to resume the peace process] is mere propaganda." If Olmert wanted to communicate a conciliatory message to Syria, in all likelihood he would have picked a low profile messenger, not a grandstanding politician whose message he would then have to disavow.
Even more fantastic is the contention that reports of Syrian involvement in the release of the British sailors shows the need for the U.S. to have diplomatic relations with Syria. First, according to Uygur's link this is purely a Syrian claim. Unless your'e desperate to spin on behalf of Pelosi, there's no reason to believe Syria's self-serving attempt to get credit for the release of the sailors. Indeed, even the left-wing Guardian, though mentioning the Syrian claim, gives no sign of buying it. The Guardian appears to explain the release in terms of the Iranian regime's own calculation of its interest, and perhaps the prospect of being able to see the Iranian nationals held by the U.S. in Iran as a result of turning over the Brits.
Second, even if one were accept Syria's claim that it helped persuade Iran to release the British sailors, there's no reason to believe that this had anything to do with the willingness of Nancy Pelosi or any other American to talk to Assad. In Syria's versions of events, it told Iran it was foolish to hold the sailors. Syria can calculate Iran's interest and advise the Iranian regime without an assist from Speaker Pelosi.
Nancy Pelosi aside, my general view of "talking with the enemy" can be found here.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. Nancy Pelosi is a "mole" for the Bush administration and GOP while pretending to be a liberal "leftwing" Democratic U.S. Congress backed by the Press NY Times, Post, CBS.
Nancy Pelosi is playing the Muslim card with her Muslim Congressmen, trip to Syria, and plan to defeat the U.S. military operation in Iraq by "illegal lawmakers" Harry “Las Vegas” Reid Senate, mandating a withdrawal date (April 1, 2008) for victory by al-Qaeda and other Islamic terrorist jihad groups.
America Veterans, people of faith and the Jewish community can see through Pelosi appeasement of Syria.
Alan Klaus at 5:09PM on Apr 5th 2007
2. This is pelosi, always trying to grandstand for herself, she wound up with egg on her face, proably did more damage than anything. Our enemies are laughing outloud about the "CLOWN" PELOSI. The woman is a menace to everyone, stupid to say the least. Does not have any qualifications to be there. This is this woman,just look at her, expressions and body lanuage say a lot, she is a ignorant of what really goes on and the deeper realization of what goes on. She noramlly looks over her shoulder when entering the chambers to see if Hoyer is behind her, feeding her lines.Once again she has embarassed this country, looks like an idiot, talks like one, she is a dumb, self serving idiot. Her ego is way over the to. Something should be done about her, also traitor to our country. How dare she assume such a position. She isn't fit to shine Condi's shoes. Get rid of her!
jane at 5:58PM on Apr 5th 2007
3. We all know that a Political Party (Dem or Republican) will say or do anything to obtain or regain power. However, sending Nancy Polosi, pictured in a yellow scarf, to Syria to wow a Despot for the purpose of creating a more favorable Democratic Party foreign policy image is laughable.
Bob Rogan at 6:14PM on Apr 5th 2007
4. MADAM SPEAKER DID NOT START ANOTHER WAR WHILE SHE WAS AWAY. SHE MIGHT IN FACT HAVE STARTED SOMETHING BETWEEN THE ISRAELIS AND THE SYRIANS. I THINK, WE, AS FREE AMERICANS, THAT IS FREE TO EXPRESS OUR OPINIONS SHOULD TAKE A WAIT AND SEE ATTITUDE ABOUT HER TRAVELS. AS TO WHETHER OR NOT SHE IS FIT TO SHINE CONDI'S SHOES,LAST I HEARD THAT WAS NOT ON HER LIST OF ONE HUNDRED THINGS TO DO IN ONE HUNDRED DAYS OR EVER.
GIVE THE WOMAN A CHANCE. SHE CERTAINLY CANNOT GET US ANY DEEPER INTO THE DUNG THAN WE ALREADY ARE. SHE JUST MIGHT DO SOMETHING THAT HELPS.
BE STILL YE OF LITTLE FAITH.
E. Doss at 6:15PM on Apr 5th 2007
5. San Fran Nan commented after last Novembers elections that " the people have spoken". Well all of those uninformed people who spoke are now trying to get their feet up high enough to kick themselves in the ass. This women is a menace to Patriotic Americans and should be left, get it LEFT in the Middle East.
Robert at 6:43PM on Apr 5th 2007
6. Three (R)'s have visited Syria for "shuttle diplomacy" as well. One of them is part of Pelosi's contingent.
This post reveals what I've long believed...that many (R)'s think it's more dangerous to talk to a bad government than bomb it. I wonder if this is scaleable to their private lives. Like, do the powerline guys come home to find the neighbors' grass cuttings in their yards AGAIN and just start shooting?
MWR,
lil_turk at 7:54PM on Apr 5th 2007
7. PELOSI WITH FOOT IN MOUTH WALKS WITH SCARF ON HEAD. SOUNDS LIKE A WESTERN , BUT SHE"S NOT THE GOOD COWGIRL.NEW NAME "BIGFOOT" COME"S OUT FROM MOUTH. SHE ASKED FOR IT.
AL GONN at 11:16PM on Apr 5th 2007
8. No one told Ms. Pelosi that the US is not a parliamentarian form of democracy and that as Speaker of the House she is not prime minister.
Polarglen at 7:32PM on Apr 6th 2007
9. NO MISTAKE. SHE IS NOT THE FIRST TO GO AND TAKE WITH THE "SO CALLED ENEMY" WHO MAY NOT BE OUR ENEMY. SHE IS DOING WHAT BUSHIT SHOULD DO, IF HE HAD A BRAIN.
JACKIE at 11:06AM on Apr 6th 2007
10. 27. U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa meets Syrian president in Damascus
The Associated PressPublished: April 5, 2007
DAMASCUS, Syria: A U.S. Republican congressman met President Bashar Assad on Thursday, a day after a visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, spurning the White House policy of isolating the Syrian leadership.
Congressman Darrell Issa of California said U.S. President George W. Bush had failed to promote the dialogue that is necessary to resolve disagreements between the United States and Syria.
"That's an important message to realize: We have tensions, but we have two functioning embassies," Issa told reporters after separate meetings with Assad and Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem.
Issa, a Lebanese-American who frequently travels to the Middle East, said he and other members of Congress would continue to encourage the Bush administration to engage Syria.
"I have no illusions. We have serious problems to be resolved but we will resolve them," he said.
Assad and Issa discussed "the mechanisms and means that must be available to build a solid U.S.-Syrian relationship," the official Syrian Arab News Agency reported.
Foreign Minister al-Moallem stressed Syria's keenness to talk to the U.S. and said the congressional visits helped to "formulate a joint vision for finding solutions to the problems in the region," SANA reported.
Bush sharply criticized Pelosi, a Californian Democrat, for calling on Assad, saying her visit eased the country's isolation. However, his administration stayed relatively quiet about a similar visit days earlier by a three-man Republican delegation.
Pelosi said the congressional visits were an "excellent idea" and said she was hopeful that Syrian-U.S. confidence could be restored through dialogue.
Pelosi's visit followed one by three congressmen from Bush's own party who also met with Syria's leaders.
"I don't care what the administration says on this. You gotta do what you think is in the best interest of your country," said Rep. Frank Wolf of Virginia, who was part of the delegation.
Tim at 11:20AM on Apr 6th 2007
11. I am glad Nancy Pelosi did what she did! Why?
Becaise it just underlined her stupidity and
arrogance and last, but not least, her traitorous
conduct to even begin a dialog with ruthless terrorists. She is pushing for an end to the Iraq
war, now setting herself up as a "world peace
diplomat" which encourages Bin Laden and al Quaida
to plan what to serve for tea when they pitch their
tents on the White House Lawn. With this excuse
for a lawmaker, and cohort Hillary Clinton, out there the Republicans will take the White House in
'08!!!!! Mark my words!
Janet Parker at 12:17PM on Apr 6th 2007
12. It is so funny to see a person on a mission to bridge a gap with no tools.All you small brain left wing conspiracy theorists are so blind...I mean...cant you see!this woman has got nothing to offer,no bargaining chips,no leverage how in the world! is this supposed to further our cause,all this showes is the incredible divide our country is in, in this time of war.The leftist media in there Bush hating campaign,have swayed public opinion in a way probably never before seen.I got to tell you,I am not a Bush lover but im quikly becoming a media hater, the way they have torn our country weakening it in a time of war is apaulling.
Jose at 4:14AM on Apr 7th 2007
13. Mr. Dinesh Souza: I am surprised that you agree with Mr. Uygur that the USA is somehow a "bully" and that we should negotiate with anyone and at anytime.
First of all, the USA is far from being a bully. Our nation is trampled on a daily basis with little to no response. When indeed nations like Syria, N. Korea, Iran, Venezuela, are asserting themselves in the most bestial manner. When we do engage with these nations they have already defined the starting point of discussions on their terms and have pulled the conversation to their side from the get go. In other words, we are rewarding their bullying behavior and we have given them some sense of credibility.
Regardless, I don't think our nation is serious about negotiating peace with rogue nations. Otherwise we would be putting pressure on China, Russia, France and Germany who directly encourage and support N. Korea, Iran and Syria. Without their support these perpetrators of evil and terror would not exist.
Personally, I see the events happening in the Middle East to be far more complicated and sinister than most. I believe that China, Russia, Germany and France are maneuvering to cut the USA off of Middle Eastern petroleum. Venezuela's Chavez is actively advocating such a scenario and will do his part by cutting the USA off from oil when it best suits the situation.
As soon as our troops pull out of Iraq, we all know the nation will succumb to all out civil war. We all know that terrorist forces backed by Iran and Syria will take over within a short time span. Within a couple of years, Saudi Arabia will most probably be the next to fall. When that happens, our nation will be heading towards oblivion. The Russians, who are probably orchestrating these things, will gloat and say "Pay back is Hell."
At this point, our only recourse for survival is to forceably take Saudi, and or other, oil fields within the M.E.
The point being is that if we continue down our present foreign policy course, we are most probably destined for more war and or financial ruin. Our country needs to diplomatically by-pass terror sponsored states and concentrate our foreign policy efforts on China and European nations who are egging on rogue nations. In the interim, rogue nations require swift blunt action to keep them from spreading their evil. I.E., when British or US troops are abducted by Iranians, they have 24 hours to release those troops or face the consequences.
We aren't able to negotiate with fanatics. One cannot reason with zealots. Ms. Pelosi, being such zealot, should understand that. Her problem is one of a typical liberal. She thinks that everyone thinks like her. She found out real quick that the Syrians have no intention of doing anything that they don't want to do.
Yes, I'm surprised that you have fallen for the typical leftist liberal strategy of proclaiming that we are the bully and that they are always the poor defenseless, misunderstood, victim. Victim, my ass. They need a good ass whoopin which is something that their father's should have done years ago!
Dan Collura at 10:32AM on Apr 7th 2007
14. You see! why cant the left come up with conspiracy theories like that of fellow Dan Collura? Not a theory based on political affiliatoin,but on world events that are unfolding for "EVERYONE" to see, exept for those blinded by there political banner.there is always three sides to every story, there is both sides and then there is the truth, same in politics the truth lies somewere in the middle,even though I think it's leaning a little towards the right because they are less emotional their theories have more SUBSTANCE less FLUFF.Very good angle Dan.
Jose at 12:33PM on Apr 7th 2007
15. If You think Co-President Pelosi is bad, wait to Hillary "the smartest women in the world" is president. We will all wish Bush the incompetent to return.
HCRUM at 10:14AM on Apr 8th 2007