The lesson of the Bush years is that the road to peace may not be the path that has been taken most often, is accepted most widely, and is safest politically. When President Bush defied conventional wisdom, he was at his most effective, and the United States truly brought peace closer. The conferences and ceremonies that got the most applause did not do so. Peace will not be the product of fanfare and speeches; it will be won through tough decisions and tougher actions.
Notes
1.
Blair, interview, pp. 5–6.
Index
Abbas, Mahmoud (Abu Mazen)
Bush and
Annapolis Conference
253
–255,
256
doubts regarding Abbas
124
final status negotiations
271
Hamas participation in Palestinian elections
146
initial conversations with
70
national unity government
206
visits to Washington
79
–81,
132
–133
Document of National Accord and
176
emergency government appointed by
232
–233
Hamas takeover of Gaza Strip and
228
international conference approach and
208
–209
Jerusalem, and status of
275
Olmert and
final status negotiations
270
political weakness of Olmert
232
–233,
234
Palestinian elections and
Hamas participation in
145
–146
Rice and
national unity government
209
,
220
suspension of peace talks by
267
trilateral meeting with Olmert and Rice
220
–221
visits to Washington
79
–81,
132
–133
West Bank and
rejection of Olmert offer
289
–293,
312
Abdallah (Saudi King)
Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories and
29
normalization with Israel and
29
Palestinian refugees and
29
Second Intifada, Saudi plan to end
28
–29
Abdullah (Jordanian King)
“April 14th letter” and
111
Abrams, Elliott
al-Kibar nuclear reactor and
237
Annapolis Conference and
196
,
248
–251
“April 14th letter” and
103
departure from government
304
hitkansut
(convergence) policy and
171
–172,
173
Palestinian elections and
152
Rice and
decision not to follow Rice to State Department
116
–117
“off the record” remarks by Abrams
224
–225,
226
in second Bush Administration
116
–117
Agency for International Development
169
Agreement on Movement and Access
148
–151
Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade
101
al-Kibar nuclear reactor
disclosure of information regarding
271
intelligence regarding
227
–228
Israeli bombing of
246
–248
American Israel Public Affairs Committee
10
American Jewish Historical Society
202
–203
Annan, Kofi
Palestinian elections, and Hamas participation in
143
,
144
,
166
,
167
Annapolis Conference
final status negotiations and
251
,
255
–256,
259
–260