First Steps In The Middle East

Diplomacy beats no diplomacy, and words suggesting peace are well intentioned.

For diplomacy to be even remotely effective both sides must come to the table.

Up to this point the strong arm tactic has produced very little peace. Yet strong arm tactics are favored and seem to be culturally ingrained.

Don't get your hopes up here. Mitchell is an interesting choice but his task is unparalleled. Most expect Obama to leave office with very little peace in the Middle East as the death toll will continue unabated with Israeli and Palestinian conflicts to come. Please make me wrong.

Gulf News: Obama issues appeal to Israel, Hamas

Obama called on Hamas to end rocket fire at Israel, and for Israel to complete the pullout of forces from Gaza.

Reuters: Obama names Mitchell as Mideast envoy

In a flurry of diplomatic activity in his first week in office, Obama also tapped former ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke to be the first-ever special U.S. envoy for Afghanistan, Pakistan and related issues.

Both the envoys have records of success in helping settle long-running violent conflicts -- Mitchell in Northern Ireland and Holbrooke in the Balkans.