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The incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon President Bush's doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist organisation, sources close to the transition team say.
The move to open contacts with Hamas - which could be initiated through the US intelligence services - would represent a definitive break with the Bush presidency's ostracising of the group.
The Guardian has spoken to three people with knowledge of the discussions in the Obama camp.
There is no talk of Obama approving direct diplomatic negotiations with Hamas early on in his administration, but he is being urged by advisers to initiate low-level or clandestine approaches, and there is growing recognition in Washington that the policy of ostracising Hamas is counter-productive.
Originally posted by munkey66
I don't want to be the fly in the ointment, but while the hand of friendship is being extended, what is hiding behind the back in his other hand?
Originally posted by deltaboy
Sometimes appeasement may work in your favor.
its a good thing to work with Islamic freedom fighters.
Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
Breaking from the Bush doctrine is great news! Abandoning Bush's attitude of "If we don't acknowledge you, you don't exist" is the best thing I've heard in a while! They DO exist and have shown that they exist. Ignoring them has only made it worse.
It's really a CHANGE from Bush's ineffective and counter-productive "foreign policy" of sticking his head in the sand or childishly covering his eyes because he's scared of the monster under his bed.
Originally posted by sos37
BH, you keep licking Obama's butt with every thread, but you aren't commenting on the thread content.