Brookings Institution
Vice President and Director of Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution and former director of its Saban Center for Middle East Policy; Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs during the Clinton Administration and former US Ambassador to Israel and author of Innocent Abroad: An Intimate Account of American Peace Diplomacy in the Middle East
Another President, Another Try for Middle East Peace Secretary of State Clinton today formally opened the first direct talks in almost two years between Israel and the West Bank Palestinians. In a public ceremony, she addressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Another President, Another Try for Middle East Peace Secretary of State Clinton today formally opened the first direct talks in almost two years between Israel and the West Bank Palestinians. In a public ceremony, she addressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Under non-stop pressure from the United States, the challenge is to resolve decades-long disagreements in the next year, but even advocates of a Palestinian state say failure could make matters worse. How far apart are they on settlements, borders, the "right of return" and the status of Jerusalem? Neither Abbas nor Netanyahu has much domestic support for historic compromise. Did they come together because of their worries about Iran?
Israel under Siege after Deadly Raid on Gaza Protest Flotilla Turkey is Israel's closest ally in the Muslim world, but Prime Minister Recep Erdogan called yesterday's attack "a bloody massacre." In Washington, Turkey's foreign minister told CNN that Turkey wants an independent investigation…an apology from Israel…and compensation for Turks who lost their lives. We get updates from the Middle East, the UN and Washington, where the Obama Administration faces another awkward reality.
Israel under Siege after Deadly Raid on Gaza Protest Flotilla Yesterday's deadly Israeli attack on a flotilla of ships bearing aid to the Gaza Strip has produced street demonstrations worldwide and a diplomatic firestorm. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a trip that included a meeting with President Obama. Although Turkey is Israel's closest ally in the Muslim world, its Prime Minister called yesterday's attack "a bloody massacre." In Washington, the Turkish Foreign Minister, on his way to meet Secretary of State Hillary Cilnton, told CNN that Turkey wants an independent investigation…an apology from Israel…and compensation for Turks who lost their lives."
America's Tangled Diplomacy in the Middle East In Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, diplomats from some 50 countries are meeting this week on the future of Iraq . Prime Minister al-Maliki is under intense pressure, asking forgiveness of $50 billion in debt rolled up by Saddam Hussein while trying to show he can hold on to his own job. Today, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Syria's foreign minister--the countries' most senior diplomatic contact since 2005, when the US pulled its ambassador from Damascus after the assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister. Rice may also meet her Iranian counterpart, but there are new problems with Saudi Arabia. Will King Abdullah help Iraq rebuild by forgiving debts racked up by Saddam Hussein? Is America's most important Arab ally trying to distance itself from US interests in the Middle East?
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.