A clean break a new strategy for securing the realm

"A Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm" is a 1996 policy paper written by a group of neoconservative think tankers, including Richard Perle, Douglas Feith, and David Wurmser. The paper was commissioned by the Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies (IASPS), a think tank based in Washington, D.C.

The paper's title, "A Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm," is a reference to the biblical concept of a "clean break" from the past, which is meant to imply a radical departure from existing policies and a fresh start. The paper's authors argue that the United States and Israel should adopt a new strategy for securing the Middle East, one that is based on a more aggressive and proactive approach to regional security.

The paper's main arguments are as follows:

1. The Middle East is a region in crisis, with many countries experiencing political instability, economic stagnation, and social unrest. The authors argue that the United States and Israel should take a more active role in shaping the region's future.
2. The authors argue that the Oslo Accords, which were signed in 1993, have failed to bring about peace and stability to the region. Instead, they have created a situation in which Israel is increasingly isolated and vulnerable to attack.
3. The paper's authors propose a new strategy for securing the region, which involves the following elements:

• The United States and Israel should work together to create a new regional security architecture, one that is based on a network of alliances and partnerships with other countries in the region.
• The authors argue that the United States and Israel should take a more aggressive approach to countering the threat posed by Iran, which they see as a major destabilizing force in the region.
• The paper's authors also propose that the United States and Israel should work together to promote economic development and stability in the region, through a combination of economic aid and investment.

The paper's recommendations were widely criticized by many experts and policymakers, who saw them as overly simplistic and lacking in nuance. The paper's authors were also accused of being overly influenced by their own ideological biases and of having a lack of understanding of the complexities of the Middle East.

Despite these criticisms, the paper's ideas have had a significant impact on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Many of the paper's recommendations have been implemented, including the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the ongoing conflict in Syria. The paper's authors have also gone on to play important roles in shaping U.S. foreign policy, including Richard Perle, who served as the chairman of the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board from 2001 to 2003.

Overall, "A Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm" is a controversial and influential policy paper that has had a significant impact on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. While its ideas have been widely criticized, they have also been influential in shaping the course of U.S. policy in the region.