Post No. 51: Applying Power for Peace

This Post is a repeat of the February 2025 martinsblogs Post No. 41 of the same title. I am repeating information from this post because it is relevant to recent events related to the Gaza peace process. In this post from February, I suggested the key to peace in Gaza centers on getting active involvement by the surrounding Arab nations,

and in neutralizing Iran. The Administration has done just this in getting to phase one of the peace process. If y0u like what I said here, you may want to go back to Post No. 41 and read my suggestions for the Ukraine war. Following is the February post related to Gaza and Israel, unchanged.

Post No. 41: Applying Power for Peace: A Plea to American Citizens (February 2025)

The effective application of power can create peace in the world.  The United States is by far the most powerful nation on earth.  If the United States effectively uses its power, it can lead others toward peace.  The United States is able to exert diplomatic, economic and moral persuasion to show the way toward peace.  It does not necessarily have to involve the active use of military intervention, but it needs to be a possibility for the effective exercise of power.

Presently, the current administration is making effective use of American power in an ATTEMPT to create peace.  It is very unorthodox, perhaps it could even be described as “bonkers”.  It may or may not work but it is a correct exercise of power.  Let’s examine what is happening currently.

Middle East and Gaza:  The Trump administration has given full-throated support to Israel that the Hamas terrorists will not rule Gaza.  These are extreme, idealogical terrorists who would not hesitate to blow Israel or any Western country off the face of the planet, if they could.  They indoctrinate their extreme Islamist ideology and hatred of Jews to the young people of Gaza.  There is no peace with them in power anywhere.  With U.S. support, there is now no equivocation that Hamas must go.  Until now neighboring Arab nations were willing to let Hamas periodically terrorize Israel and condemn Israel for any action they took in response.  Trump’s proposal to create peace is definitely unorthodox and most would say bonkers.  He proposes that neighboring Arab countries step up and provide housing and support for Gazans who would relocate to their countries.  The U.S. would then coordinate massive reconstruction efforts to rebuild Gaza, which he feels has tremendous potential because of it’s 24 miles of beautiful coastline along the Mediteranian. Given the Arab nations previous positions on Israel and Palestine, no sane person would think that this would be possible.  In addition, the idea of relocating people living in an area for many, many decades sounds a lot like ethnic cleansing.  His plan is bonkers on its face.  But … let’s look at what is happening because he put forward this bonkers proposal, backed by American power, in an effort to move the ball toward peace.

The Arab countries are meeting as I write this to develop their own plan for peace.  Until now they were content to let the conflict on or near their borders fester and intimidate Israel.  There are now rumblings in agreement by the Arabs that Hamas cannot stay in power.  We don’t know what will be the result of these actions by many countries that are now actively seeking a solution to peace.  I suggest you should root for a peaceful solution that the surrounding Arab nations help to create.

Iran is integral to the problems in the Middle East since they supply money and arms to Islamist extremists who all hate Israel and want it gone.   The new Administration has joined Israel in stating that Iran will not be allowed to have nuclear capability.  If this were to happen it would destabilize the whole Middle East, start a nuclear race among other Middle Eastern countries, threaten the existence of Israel, and possibly start a nuclear war. Israel has shown it has air superiority over Iran and, with U.S. support, would not hesitate to eradicate Iran’s nuclear sites before they become operational.  At the same time the Administration is reaching out to Iran to start peaceful negotiations. President Trump has suggested that Iran can become a prosperous nation if it gives up its nuclear ambitions and stops promoting terrorism in the Middle East.

A Poem to End This Post:

Sometimes my heart aches

When I gaze across the sea

At death and destruction

That doesn’t need to be

You say it can’t be helped

We should stay in our lane

How can we ensure peace?

To get involved is insane

I want to light a candle

That dispels the gloom

Where darkness ends

Hope has room to bloom

Let’s plant a garden in the storm

Nurture it with our patient power

Persist against orthodoxy

When it’s cynical and sour

We’re involved when war erupts

And it’s destructive waves

Engulf countries far and wide

Let’s not flounder helplessly

We have the power to decide

There are options to bring peace

If will and power exists

To stop destruction in Ukraine

In Gaza let’s stop the pain

If you are like me

It is peace you thirst

Benefiting everyone

Even America First