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In-Depth Coverage

Original Commentaries

07/08/08
Planning the Transition  —Ghaith al-Omari, director of advocacy, American Task Force on Palestine; former foreign policy adviser to Palestinian President Abbas. Original Commentary for Middle East Bulletin.
07/07/08
Moving Forward in Lebanon After Doha: Bridging Deep Divides  —Mona Yacoubian, director of the Lebanon Working Group, U.S. Institute of Peace. Original Commentary for Middle East Bulletin.
06/27/08
Dealing with the Challenge of Prisoners  —Brigadier General (Ret.) Ilan Paz, former head of the Israeli Civil Administration in the West Bank (2002-2005). Interview with Middle East Bulletin.

Setting the Record Straight

Israeli-Syrian Peace Could Alter Regional Dynamic

“I think [the Israelis] are making a mistake trying to negotiate with Syria now, because I don’t think Syria has any independent ability to make decisions. Over the past several years, Syria has become functionally a satellite of Iran, so that if the Israelis really wanted to negotiate with somebody, they ought to be in Tehran, not in Damascus. … I think it will be seen as a mistake in their domestic politics, and it certainly wouldn’t fit my cost-benefit analysis of a fruitful place to have discussions.”
—John Bolton, senior fellow, American Enterprise Institute & former U.S. ambassador to the UN, interview with NationalJournal.com, May 23, 2008 versus
  • "An Israeli-Syrian peace would be based on interests … The first thing the Syrians want is the Golan [Heights], but they want other things too. … Syria wants to be defined differently than Iran and come back to the center of the international system. In terms of Israeli interests, I think the first thing would be no all-out warfare. … In addition, an agreement with Syria would include the larger Arab world and not the Assad government alone. Such an agreement would also undermine Hezbollah, Hamas and extreme Islamist movements. … The United States is needed for addressing the Syrian interests, beyond the Golan, including removal of Syria from the ‘axis of evil’ and economic incentives.”
    —Major General (Ret.) Danny Rothschild, former IDF coordinator of activities in the Palestinian territories (1991-95) & president, Israeli Council for Peace and Security, event ,"Peace with Syria," July 14, 2008 (translated by Middle East Bulletin)
  • Middle East Analysis

    December 14, 2007

    At the moment, and in all other moments that have culminated in this one, words have comprised the backbone of the somewhat spineless Israeli-Palestinian process. Now that the Annapolis meeting is over, the time has come for our leaders to talk less and do more… Luckily for all stakeholders involved, the wheel did not need to be re-invented in Annapolis. The parameters outlined in previous negotiations form a firm foundation for any agreement. …

    In contrast to previous milestones, the post-Annapolis period must mark a milestone where words, speeches, and declarations are leveraged into a sustainable, pragmatic process.

    With the help of the United States, the international community, and the moderate Arab world, our leaders are currently faced with an exquisite opportunity to lead the Israeli public into a new era: An era in which Israel will live in peace alongside Palestine; An era in which a growing part of the state budget is allocated to education, health, welfare, infrastructure, industry and the development of the Negev and the Galilee; An era in which 22 Arab Embassies will be established in western Jerusalem; A time where compulsory military service will be shortened and Israel’s borders and capital will finally be recognized by the international community. Access the full article>>