Condoleezza Rice (finally) announced that she would visit the war torn Middle East in the near future – let’s not rush to the assistance of innocent civilians and perhaps even prevent a humanitarian disaster! Rice also dismissed any hope of brokering an immediate cease-fire. She added that negotiating a cease-fire would be counter-productive at present! The international community has noted America’s lethargy and unwillingness to act in the present circumstances. The world is aware however that Israel would not have pursued its present hostile course without consent from Washington; Rice’s inaction and firm dismissal of any hope of a brokered cease-fire spells very clearly the relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv.