Pelosi’s visit to Middle East won’t have much impact

Published Friday, April 6, 2007

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and her colleagues have, perhaps, made a political point by visiting several countries in the Middle East this week. But we doubt that the visits will actually accomplish any changes in those countries’ policies. Speaking to other nations is something the United States should do with a single voice, and random Congressional delegations are not likely to accomplish anything that the administration can not.

Pelosi visited Syria and Saudi Arabia to press their leaders for various reforms — in essence, stepping on the toes of the work that the State Department is already doing. Beyond proving that the Democrats who control Congress have the power to travel the world, we’re not sure whether the Pelosi trip accomplished anything.

Indeed, it likely worsened the United States’ credibility with those nations. After all, if the world’s most powerful nation can’t even get its message straight, who are these foreign leaders to believe? And what will be the credibility of the next administration envoy who visits the region?

Democrats may be enjoying their powerful new position in Washington. But there are untold domestic issues that deserve their time. It would be better to leave foreign relations to the State Department professionals.

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