MEF Wires
Is Israel Important?
A briefing by Bret Stephens
January 19, 2005
Bret Stephens is a member of the editorial board of the Wall Street Journal and was in 2002-04 editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, Israel's leading English-language daily. Previously, Mr. Stephens was an editorial page writer for The Wall Street Journal Europe. In 2004, he was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, where he is also a media fellow. Mr. Stephens addressed the Middle East Forum in New York, on January 19, 2005.
Is Israel significant or insignificant regarding its position in the affairs of the Middle East and the world? Although the views from Jerusalem and even the United States and Europe may present Israel as part of the most important story in the world, there are more pressing stories, particularly in the Middle East.
For example, the possibility of Iran possessing a nuclear arsenal in the near future may pose the greatest foreign policy challenge the United States has faced in decades. The unfolding results and consequences of the recent Iraqi election are also of the utmost importance. In addition, the gradual weakening of the Saudi kingdom, coupled with the eventual passing of Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, will present two enigmas concerning leadership succession.
