Catastrophe in Lebanon or Bush Talking to Insurgents

This event could be what finally turns the entire Middle East into the frontline of World War III. It is also a blessing for the neocons. The U.S. backed Christian heir apparent was assasinated in Lebanon, presumedly by the Syrians. Both the Israelis and the White House can't believe their luck. It was just what doctor ordered for a besieged President. It gives him the excuse he needs to push for conflict with Syrian and Iran. The Middle East was already on the verge of chaos, this event will spiral completely out of control. Any possibility of peace talks are dead. Prepare for dark days ahead:

Pierre Gemayel, scion of Lebanon's most prominent Christian family and a leading opponent of Syria, was gunned down Tuesday in a brazen daytime hit. The assassination threatened to intensify Lebanon's power struggle between the U.S.-allied government and the Syrian-backed Hezbollah.

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If you don't believe this very pessimistic view of the Middle East, then you might believe there are ongoing negotiations between the White House and the insurgency:

First, James Baker told one of Saddam Hussein's lawyers that Tariq Aziz, former deputy prime minister, would be released from detention by the end of this year, in hope that he will negotiate with the US on behalf of the Baath Party leadership. The discussion recently took place in Amman, according to the Iraqi paper al-Quds al-Arabi.

Second, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice personally appealed to the Gulf Cooperation Council in October to serve as intermediaries between the US and armed Sunni resistance groups [not including al Qaeda], communicating a US willingness to negotiate with them at any time or place. Speaking in early October, Rice joked that if then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld "heard me now, he would wage a war on me fiercer and hotter than he waged on Iraq," according to an Arab diplomat privy to the closed session.

Third, there was an "unprecedented" secret meeting of high-level Americans and representatives of "a primary component of the Iraqi resistance" two weeks ago, lasting for three days. As a result, the Iraqis agreed to return to the talks in the next two weeks with a response for the American side, according to Jordanian press leaks and al-Quds al-Arabi.

Fourth, detailed email transmissions dated November 16 reveal an active American effort behind the scenes to broker a peace agreement with Iraqi resistance leaders, a plot that could include a political coup against Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

Take your choice as to what you want to believe.