EuroNews: "Dead End" for U.S. Diplomacy in Middle East

I get the impression they do not hold the competence of either Condi Rice or George Bush in high esteem, especially given the situation between Israel, Lebanon, and Hezbollah:

US diplomacy in the Middle East is on hold as the American Secretary of State heads back to Washington without calling for an immediate ceasefire. Before leaving Condoleezza Rice urged both sides to agree quickly on conditions for a truce.

Rice had been due to visit Beirut for talks with Lebanon's Prime Minister, Fouad Siniora. But he says he told Rice that no discussions could take place after this morning's tragedy."I've said very clearly that, really, now this is not the time - other than for the implementation of an immediate and comprehensive cease-fire. And I think this, in diplomatic words, is understood," he said.

While US efforts have stalled, there is hope a European mission could make a breakthrough. Italy's Foreign Minister, Massimo D'Alema - who has described the Qana attack as unjustifiable - is meeting Israeli leaders to discuss how to bring a swift end to the crisis.

I actually find this assessment too kind.

Separate out how I feel about the Bush Administration in general, Condoleeza (or Condi-lies-a-lot, as I think of her) Rice has shown incredibly arrogant incompetence in every damn role she has ever been handed (and handed, she was, because she could not have gotten them otherwise). Which makes it not just baffling but really quite criminal that she has had increasingly important jobs in the Bush cabinet.