How Much Can A Republican Congress Help Israel?

According to Max Boot, Congress in general has only limited input on matters pertaining to nation-security policy, since they are a presidential prerogative. Even then, major Congressional influence would require the impression that matters were going out of control--like when Congress cut off funding for South Vietnam in the early 1970s.

These days--

The most significant changes are likely to be not those imposed on Obama from the Hill but those he has decided to make himself based on two years of on-the-job experience.
As Robert Kagan recently argued, there are some signs to indicate that Obama’s foreign policy has already entered a new phase:

If Phase One was about repairing America’s image around the world by showing a friendlier face to everyone, especially adversaries, Phase Two will be about wielding renewed American influence, even if it means challenging some and disappointing others. If Phase One was about “resetting” relations with great powers, especially Russia and China, Phase Two will be about discovering the limits of reset and taking a harder line when we disagree. If Phase One placed more emphasis on great-power cooperation and the nebulous concept of a “G-20 world,” Phase Two will be built around core U.S. alliances with democratic nations. If Phase One was focused on being Not Bush, Phase Two will be about shedding that self-imposed straitjacket and pursuing traditional American interests and principles even if George W. Bush pursued them, too.

I think that’s basically right. Obama came into office with little foreign-policy experience and lots of ideological baggage. (Remember his infamous pledge to meet during his first year in office with the leaders of “Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea”? Another campaign promise thankfully not kept.) He has been learning the hard way that his personal charm is not going to transform the world — that the mullahs, for instance, will want nuclear weapons no matter who is in the White House. He is now making some welcome course adjustments. Republicans on the Hill can support some of his initiatives and stymie others but ultimately they are not going to have a decisive impact on the course set by the commander in chief. [emphasis added]

Boot makes no direct mention to Israel, but the general thrust of his post indicates that Congress would not have a major impact on Obama's Middle East policies.

I would not be so concerned except that if there is indeed a Phase Two coming down the pipe with the Obama administration taking a stronger line against those with whom it disagrees--chances are that near the top of that list is likely to be Israel.

That is where Jennifer Rubin comes in, who adds:

there is much Congress can do both rhetorically and with the power of the purse regarding Obama’s wholly ineffective efforts to stop Iran from going nuclear. Rigorous oversight hearings, resolutions declaring that the U.S. remains committed to denying Iran nuclear weapons, and full funding for human rights and dissident groups would all be useful. Next, defund the UN Human Rights Council. As to Israel specifically, here too oversight hearings and the power of the bully pulpit can be employed to confront and hopefully modify Obama’s aggressive stance toward the Jewish state.[emphasis added]

Unlike in the case of Iran, when it comes to Israel the power of the purse is not the issue. Defunding the UNHRC is probably more than what the new Congress will have the stomach for--especially with the critical condition of the economy demanding their attention.

The issue then will be the bully pulpit of Congress vs. an Obama administration that seems determined to try, try again to impose a Middle East peace--which by all appearances means forcing enough concessions out of Israel until Abbas is happy.

It will be an eventful 2 years.

Technorati Tag: Obama and Mideast Peace Talks.