Allan Topol is a partner in a large Washington-based international law firm. He has a science and engineering degree from Carnegie Mellon, and a law degree from Yale University. For almost 40 years, he has been involved in issues at the height of the Washington power structure.
He is also a national bestselling novelist, using the thriller genre to explore international geopolitical and military issues. His new novel, ENEMY OF MY ENEMY, dealing with an American pilot shot down over Eastern Turkey and Russian nuclear weapons, was released February 1, 2005.
His 2001 novel, SPY DANCE, is about a former CIA agent on the run and Saudi Arabian oil. His 2003 novel, DARK AMBITION, deals with the corruption of power in Washington and China's threatening posture toward Taiwan. In January 2004, his new novel CONSPIRACY was released dealing with a foreign leader's attempt to influence an American presidential election and the possibility of renewed militarism in Japan.
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April 13, 2005
[Have an opinion about the issues discussed in this column? Sound
off here.]
Looking at pictures of President Bush with Israeli Prime Minister Sharon, I was struck by how different the two men are. In appearance, the rotund Sharon is a generation older than the trim, fit-looking Bush. In background, Sharon was a daring general, a military genius who made the tough decisions, sometimes in defiance of orders by civilian leaders -- which permitted Israel to defeat Egypt in 1967 and again in 1973. Whatever the real facts are about the President's military service, even his staunchest supporters would not claim he was a war hero.
Notwithstanding these differences, the two leaders share a very important characteristic. Both have the courage and strength of character to persevere in pursuing policies that they believe are genuinely correct, despite intense opposition among their people. This is one of the major characteristics of a good leader.
In this vein, Bush stuck with the Iraqi war and his desire to topple Saddam Hussein. Similarly, he has pursued his program to spread democracy to the Arab world. Sharon, for his part, has been absolutely firm and non-wavering in his commitment to a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the relocation of Israeli settlers. In the face of incredible opposition, Sharon has managed to dominate the Israeli political system sufficiently to be on course for achieving his objective.
The Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, scheduled for July, is likely to be violent, pitting Jew against Jew for the first time since the Israeli war of independence. Sharon is convinced that it's a necessary step to preserve the long-term viability of the Israeli nation and to begin, after so many years, the movement toward peace with the Palestinians.
Embattled at home and winning votes by the narrowest margins, Sharon came to the United States this week seeking Bush's support for the Israeli unilateral withdrawal from Gaza. This was precisely what he received. The President hailed Sharon as a “strong visionary leader,” for pursuing this “courageous initiative.” Bush recognized that this is a valuable first step toward peace.
In addition to the words, the atmosphere was positive at the meeting of the two leaders. For starters, the meeting took place at Bush's Texas vacation home, to which only a few world leaders, with whom Bush has the closest relationship, have been invited. Also, the two men spent three hours together -- a long time for a meeting of this type. Sharon's stay was complete with lunch and a tour of the ranch.
This is not to say that Bush and Sharon agreed on everything. Bush expressed criticism of long-term Israeli plans to expand the Maale Adumim settlement outside of Jerusalem. This is not an immediate issue. Reports in the media gave it far greater attention than it deserved. The position which Bush expressed on this settlement is one that he was compelled to make in order to retain credibility among Arab leaders.
There was also no agreement between Bush and Sharon on what will occur after Israel completes its Gaza withdrawal. Those are issues for another day. More immediate and troublesome is the evidence presented by Sharon that demonstrates that the Iranian nuclear weapons program is far more advanced than the Europeans and Americans seemed to believe.
On the main topic of the meeting, however, Bush and Sharon are in agreement that Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas must disarm the militants and terrorists among his people. Until and unless this is done, there cannot be further progress toward a real and lasting peace. Whether Abbas will have the courage and strength that characterize Bush and Sharon, to take this step remains to be seen.
Sharon has put everything on the line -- his position, his reputation, even his life (which is at risk from extremists who assassinated former Israeli Prime Minister Rabin) -- to make sure the Gaza withdrawal plan is implemented. The significance of this move cannot be overestimated. This is where the media should be focused.
President Bush got it right when he said that the attention of the world ought to be on Gaza. “This is the opportunity for the world to help the Palestinians start up a peaceful society.” The question now is how Abbas will reciprocate to Sharon's action.
© 2005 Allan Topol. All opinions expressed
in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those
of Military.com.
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