Massive Diplomacy

To the Editor:

The situation in the Middle East has become horrific. Why are we sitting quietly by? We should immediately use our influence as the most powerful nation on earth to stop the fighting. Every day numerous civilians, including children, die in Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq and even Israel. Every one of these deaths is a tragedy. The killing of innocent children is incomprehensible and unacceptable.

Sixty-one years ago the United States spearheaded the formation of the United Nations. The purpose of this organization was exactly the task that faces us today, restoring peace between warring peoples. Sadly, as the years have passed, our support of the UN has dimmed. This has been accompanied by our dependence on massive firepower to solve international problems. Three years after the incursion into Iraq we are bogged down and the country is in civil war. This should teach us, once again, that massive firepower in such situations, including nuclear weapons, is almost useless

The only hope for a viable resolution in Iraq, Lebanon and Gaza is to reinvigorate the UN and deploy massive diplomacy. This should include negotiations with Syria and Iran. Many, many children’s lives are dependent on it.

But, I am not holding my breath.