US Diplomatic Leadership

2010 Must Be Showtime for Mideast Peace

As 2009 draws to a close, we are bombarded by the annual litany of commentary features recapping the year in Hollywood movies to the year in international conflict, and everything in between.

When it comes to the Middle East peace process, current conventional wisdom suggests the 2009 recap might go something like this: 

US-Iran Negotiations: Simulation Exercise at INSS

Ephraim Asculai, Emily B. Landau, and Tamar Malz-Ginzburg

INSS Insight No. 154, December 29, 2009

Despite the tendency to denote any simulation exercise on security issues a "war game," the recent simulation designed and held at INSS did not focus on the option of a military attack. Rather, it developed the scenario of a bilateral US-Iranian negotiation over Iran's nuclear program.

Iran, China, and the Israeli Stick

INSS Insight No. 150, December 22, 2009

When President Obama met with the president of China in Beijing last month, he cautioned that he would not be able to block an Israeli attack against Iran much longer unless there is progress in the attempts to stop Iran’s nuclear program. This warning was intended to persuade China of the urgent need for additional sanctions against Iran. Yet even if the potential success of this warning is questionable, it raises questions about Chinese interests in Iran and the Middle East as a whole, about Israel's place vis-à-vis these interests, and about Jerusalem’s possible influence over Beijing.

A Palestinian View: A crucial but problematic triangle

For good but different reasons, their respective relations with the United States are of central and utmost importance to both Palestinians and Israelis.

As the US is the world's leading power, it is the most influential potential mediator between them. Israel is completely dependent for its overwhelming superiority on the near unquestioned military, economic and diplomatic support it receives from the US. The Palestinian Authority, meanwhile, is dependent on international support and international diplomacy, both shaped by the US.

Syria seeks US mediation in peace negotiations

After meeting with Syrian officials in Damascus, a European official relayed a message that Syria is ready to renew negotiations through a secret channel, leading to public negotiations with the United States as a mediator. According to the official, Syria wants to renew talks under the precondition that Israel will return the Golan Heights and retreat to the 1967 borders, and in return Syria will fully normalize relations with Israel. This falls short of former Israeli demands that Syria sever its ties to Iran.

Shimon Shiffer in Yedioth Ahronoth reports:

An Israeli View: Dealing with Mr. Yes and No

Back in the days of Binyamin Netanyahu's first term as prime minister, more than ten years ago, he was satirized as Mr. Yes and No. For every "yes" he delivered to US President Bill Clinton or PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, there was also a "no" or, if you like, a "yes" to the settlers and other opponents of the peace process. That appears to be where we are today, once again.

Rep. Wexler sends letter of optimism for Middle East peace to Congress

Steve Clemons at the Washington Note reports today that Rep. Robert Wexler, who will be leaving Congress soon to head the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation, sent a letter to other members of Congress noting increasing support among Israelis toward President Obama, and stressing the need for Obama to address Israelis directly with a clear proposal to move the peace process forward.

Special Envoy George Mitchell on the importance of compromise and leadership in the Middle East

Earlier today, Middle East Progress published an interview with Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, Senator George Mitchell. Below are excerpts of his remarks on the progress seen by the Obama administration toward peace in the region. The interview in full can be read here.

On Netanyahu's proclaimed 10 month settlement construction freeze:

Why Gilo Matters

To date, the conventional wisdom regarding the Obama administration’s approach to the Arab-Israeli conflict is that it has had the wrong focus (a complete settlement freeze) with the wrong strategy (that the freeze serve as the basis for restarting negotiations). 

Conference Call: Improving the Prospects for Obama's Success

In late October, IPF convened a Policy Roundtable of analysts, academics and former policy makers in Israel to discuss Israeli perceptions of President Obama and ways he can improve his peacemaking efforts in the region. Dr. Steven L. Spiegel will moderate a discussion between two of the Roundtable's participants, Former Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh and Brig. Gen. (ret.) Shlomo Brom on Monday.

For more information and to RSVP for the call, please read more here.