While no doubt some are suspicious that he's there to sabotage it, I actually think what's interesting about Cheney's comments in Israel is how on the reservation they are. Administration heavyweight being sent to seemingly reinforce Annapolis is not just Rice's pet project. Heavyweight who also is most directly involved in asking Riyadh for help getting Opec to increase oil supplies and for cooperation on other matters, and presumbly Saudi/Arab buy in for that and more comes with requests of their own on the peace process. Cheney's statement today that realization on both sides need for painful concessions not surprising from American leader, indeed would be wholly ordinary coming from most, but interesting coming from Cheney. We do not know what he's saying privately. But going by his public statements, he's not off the reservation as much as one sometimes sees with Cheney.

More here and here.

Posted by Laura at March 23, 2008 08:14 AM