Middle East Land for Peace?

Shultz wings in as a familiar debate rages

If George Shultz ever had any stomach for Middle East diplomacy, he has long since lost it. He has come to deplore the region's treacherous politics and brutal methods. In 1982 he was the chief architect of a peace plan that failed dismally, underscoring for him the futility of well-intentioned initiatives in a conflict poisoned by four decades of hatred and mistrust. In 1983 the death, of 241 U.S. servicemen in their bombed-out Beirut headquarters showed him the dangers of direct intervention. Returning from the region last October, Shultz seemed ready to wash his hands of the whole mess.

Yet here...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!