Deputy National Security Adviser Elliott Abrams said much of the heightened State Department activity with the two parties was "process for the sake of process" and being done to "assuage the Arabs and the Europeans, who haven't been happy with the United States[and are] happy to see that there's at least an attempt or energy being put into the peace process," according to one attendee at the closed door meeting. Abrams also told the meeting that he would guard against the bureaucrats at the State Department taking over American Middle East policy, as well as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice falling into the "Clintonian mode" of needing to point to achievements to secure her legacy as her term concludes, according to someone at the discussion.
It is not just on Israel. They are doing all kinds of stupid and naive things over North Korea these days, as well, if you ask me.
Rice seems to be trying to take the title of "Worst Secretary of State Ever" from Madeline Albright.