President Barack Obama's initial decisions positively affecting the Middle East so far amount to more than George W Bush managed to put together in eight years as president. The suspension of military tribunals at Guantanamo coupled with an executive order to close that stain on American history were expected and welcome. The appointment of George Mitchell as the administration's special envoy to the Middle East is a clear signal that the Obama government has put priority on dealing seriously with the Middle East and not treating it as a simple irritant to be shrugged off by unquestioningly backing Israel in every dispute. Mitchell is the first to hold such a position in the American government since Dennis Ross served as “special Middle East Coordinator” under Bill Clinton and Mitchell brings to the position a resume far more impressive than that of anyone who preceded him. He was instrumental in negotiating the end of the decades old strife between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland and was hired as an independent leader of the investigation into steroid-use in professional baseball in the US. Most importantly and encouragingly, he was part of a peace commission sent to the Middle East in 2000 by President Clinton and contributed to recommendations that included a call for Israel to freeze construction of settlements and for Palestinians to rein in militants. Although none of this signals an immediate change to US foreign policy, it raises expectations that following the Israeli elections scheduled for February 10 a new direction in US Middle East policy will be forged. Mitchell's reputation and proven ability to approach seemingly intractable problems through a dispassionate and balanced approach bodes well for all sides on Middle East issues. After eight years of neglect by the Bush Administration, the time has come for a sensible American voice to be heard when the Israelis and Palestinians look for some way out of what can seem to be a terminal impasse. Perhaps Mitchell can engage those on both sides who honestly seek a way out. __
