‘Peace train’ is stalled at the station

JAMES CARROLL (Op-ed, July 18) characterizes the Palestinian plan to seek recognition by the United Nations as a looming “train wreck’’ that the United States and, especially, Israel have an opportunity to counter and convert into a “peace train.’’ But he fails to mention the full-fledged train wrecks already underway and far from over in Iran, Libya, Syria, Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and elsewhere in the Middle East, and offers no solutions to any of these countries. Only for Israel is Carroll willing to make an exception. I can’t speak for the Israelis, but I would be wary of accepting his advice at least until the Arab nations make some small progress in attaining peace among themselves.