George Bush's strategy for peace in the Middle East is naively based upon a misbegotten belief that manufacturing a "democracy" in Iraq will create the conditions that lead to peace. As the most recent flare-up of violence clearly proves, this is far from the truth.

Early in his administration, the Bush administration completely abdicated any substantive interest and effort aimed at resolving the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. After 9/11, instead of redoubling efforts to address the root cause of Islamic enmity towards the west, Mr. Bush chose to squander our national crediblity and resources on an ill-advised war in Iraq that would do nothing to fix the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. The Middle East has been tumbling towards chaos ever since.

The route to peace in the Middle East doesn't go through Baghdad, it goes through Jerusalem. That's always been the way to peace. That's always been the crux of the matter.

Now please don't misundestand me...I am a big advocate of Israel and I endorse their current efforts in response to attacks by Hamas and Hezbolla. Also remember that I support the administration's efforts in Afghanistan. But the war in Iraq is and has always been a terrific mistake and has not served the better interests of the American people. Nor will it contribute to a solution to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. It was a bad idea and has only made the prospect of peace in the Middle East much harder to achieve.