Middle East Notes and Comment: The Predicament

October 17, 2011

For nearly four decades, the United States' reputation in the Middle East has been strengthened by its ability to broker peace between Israelis and Arabs. That ability is fading as the Palestinians seek to bypass the United States in their statehood bid and Israeli policies further alienate many American supporters. Because it has the most to lose, the burden is on the Israeli government to initiate a diplomatic plan to address these dilemmas. Ultimately, the United States can only help Israel solve its challenges; it cannot solve them for Israel.