Context
The US warned Israel of increasing isolation in the Middle East. The US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in his visit to the Middle East said that negotiations between Tel Aviv and Ramallah must restart. The defense secretary also urged Israeli leaders to work towards restoring diplomatic relations with Egypt and Turkey. Real security can only be achieved by both a strong diplomatic effort as well as a strong effort to project your military strength,” said Panetta.
Analysis
Analysts have taken the US to be unhappy with Israel’s passivity in the midst of changing political climate in the Middle East. Washington which hoped the Arab Spring would bring democracy into the region, found the emergence of even more hostile regimes. Furthermore, the inclusion of Islamic parties into main stream politics has created a dangerous situation for Israel which seems unable to make diplomacy work in the midst of anti Israeli furor.
