Fear of Iran Driving Push for Peace

Arab leaders at conference unified by mounting extremist threats in Mideast
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 28, 2007 3:19 AM CST
Fear of Iran Driving Push for Peace
Members of the Basij paramilitary group, a powerful volunteer militia directed by the Revolutionary Guards, demonstrate against Jordan and other Middle-Eastern countries' involvement in the Annapolis Middle-East peace conference, in front of Jordan's embassy in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Nov. 26, 2007. Sign...   (Associated Press)

Fear of Iran and Islamic extremism is the catalyst that's bringing together delegates at the Mideast peace conference in Annapolis, the New York Times reports. Sunni Arab leaders see their young people becoming radicalized and Iran's influence expanding, and fear the region could be transformed in new and dangerous ways. Iran has strongly condemned the peace talks.

"Everybody at Annapolis has something in common," said one US politician. "It's fear of Iran." The Israeli-Palestinian issue is the main force driving extremism in the region and there are hopes that the new unity of purpose may lead to a lasting peace. (More Iran stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X