Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee on 3/1/11, Gen. James Mattis, Commander, US Central Command (CENTCOM) spoke at length about the Middle East (video of the hearing can be viewed here). He noted that among a host of external influences on the CENTCOM area of operations, the "most significant" include issues related to Middle East Peace (or the lack of progress toward it). Not only did Gen. Mattis explicitly make this linkage, but Middle East Peace was FIRST on his list of external influences.
Specifically, General Mattis testified (emphasis added):
Specifically, General Mattis testified (emphasis added):
"Lack of progress in achieving comprehensive Middle East peace affects
U.S. and CENTCOM security interests in the region. It is one of many
issues that is exploited by our adversaries in the region and is used as
a recruiting tool for extremist groups.
"The lack of progress also creates friction with regional partners and creates political challenges for advancing our interests by marginalizing moderate voices in the region.
"As Secretary Gates noted in July 2010, 'the lack of progress in the peace process has provided political ammunition to our adversaries in the Middle East and in the region, and...progress in this arena will enable us not only to perhaps get others to support the peace process, but also support us in our efforts to try and impose effective sanctions against Iran.' In December 2010, Secretary Clinton observed 'the conflict between Israel and Palestine and between Israel and its Arab neighbors is a source of tension and an obstacle to prosperity and opportunity for all of the people in the region.'
"By contrast, substantive progress on Middle East peace would improve CENTCOM's opportunities to work with our regional partners and support multilateral security efforts.
"Speaking about the need for Middle East peace at the Manama Dialogue in December 2010, King Abdullah of Jordan observed 'Our region will not enjoy security and stability unless we solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and Arabs and Israelis find peace. The stakes are high. As a solution continues to elude us, faith in negotiations, as the only path to peace and justice, is eroding. And if hope is killed, radical forces will prevail. The region will sink into more vicious warfare and instability...threatening security far beyond the borders of the Middle East.'"
"The lack of progress also creates friction with regional partners and creates political challenges for advancing our interests by marginalizing moderate voices in the region.
"As Secretary Gates noted in July 2010, 'the lack of progress in the peace process has provided political ammunition to our adversaries in the Middle East and in the region, and...progress in this arena will enable us not only to perhaps get others to support the peace process, but also support us in our efforts to try and impose effective sanctions against Iran.' In December 2010, Secretary Clinton observed 'the conflict between Israel and Palestine and between Israel and its Arab neighbors is a source of tension and an obstacle to prosperity and opportunity for all of the people in the region.'
"By contrast, substantive progress on Middle East peace would improve CENTCOM's opportunities to work with our regional partners and support multilateral security efforts.
"Speaking about the need for Middle East peace at the Manama Dialogue in December 2010, King Abdullah of Jordan observed 'Our region will not enjoy security and stability unless we solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and Arabs and Israelis find peace. The stakes are high. As a solution continues to elude us, faith in negotiations, as the only path to peace and justice, is eroding. And if hope is killed, radical forces will prevail. The region will sink into more vicious warfare and instability...threatening security far beyond the borders of the Middle East.'"
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