Obama's Diplomatic Team

I was pleasantly surprised when Obama named Richard Holbrook and George Mitchell to be special envoys to two of the most troubled spots in the world. These are old pros at the diplomatic game, and more importantly, they both have no problem speaking their opinion. They are definitely not "yes" men and it will be interesting to see if Hillary Clinton's State Department is truly going to be open to discussion and debate.

Another interesting thing I found out this week was about the tunnels in Gaza. I thought they were all about HAMAS. Well, I was wrong. Turns out they are offshoots of economic necessity and capitalism. Although HAMAS uses the tunnels to bring in supplies - like missiles and other weapons - business men in Gaza also bring in supplies to fill their stores. They pay the owner of the tunnel for bringing in their merchandise.

While the tunnels are being built, workers receive $200.00 a week, a pretty good wage for that part of the world.

So the question is, what will happen to the tunnels if Israel opens the crossings and allows commerce to flow at normal levels? The merchants will no longer need the tunnels. HAMAS will.
It will be interesting to see if tunnel owners raise their price when they are down to one client. Of course it appears that Iran is supplying HAMAS with unlimited funds, but eventually they are going to want some kind of "bang" for their buck.

If George Mitchell can work with the Israelis, Palestinians and Egyptians to insure that the West Bank and Gaza are allowed to trade like a free country and Egypt becomes diligent in patrolling their side of the tunnels, HAMAS may lose whatever face and power they had in Gaza and the legitimate Palestinian government can take control.

As for Richard Holbrook, Afghanistan and Pakistan are going to be real challenges. We wise him luck.

These first decisions by Obama appear impressive, let's hope that he continues to make the right moves for the good of all of us.

Its Common Sense!