Peace In Our Time

Richard Cohen, writing on the Middle East, sees echoes of 1938. But in an otherwise pretty good article, he can't seem to help letting fly with this howler:

When George Bush used the term "Islamic fascists,'' he had a point. But it's futile to use colorful language when, in reality, you're out of the conversation altogether. This is another baleful consequence of the Iraq War. The U.S. is not only preoccupied, it is loathed. The leadership it once was able to exert -- especially in the Middle East -- is a thing of the past. If it is going to have its credibility restored, another president will have to do so. In the meantime, as we always learn, Europe without American leadership is a mere tourist destination.

Message to Cohen: The United States has always been loathed in the Middle East. I seem to remember a good deal of street celebration across the region right after 9/11 and long before Dubya took any retaliatory action.

And to which particular historical leadership role are you referring? Jimmah bringing together Sadat and Begin? I think that had more to do with the Egyptians getting tired of having their asses kicked. Or perhaps you're thinking of his masterful handling of the Iranian Shah's, erm, "retirement". Reagan's Lebanese adventures? Look, I'm a great fan of the Gipper, but even I didn't see the point of landing Marines in Beruit with no apparent mission other than to get shot at. Bubba Clinton's endless and meaningless photo ops with the late, unlamented Yasser? Puh-lease.