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In-Depth Coverage

Original Commentaries

09/04/08
From Zero-Sum to Win-Win  —Mara Rudman, adviser, Middle East Progress; senior fellow, Center for American Progress. Original Commentary for Middle East Bulletin.
09/04/08
How Progress Is Possible  —
08/07/08
How to Deal with Jerusalem  —Lt. Col. (Res.) Ron Shatzberg, Project Director, Economic Cooperation Foundation. Interview with Middle East Bulletin.

Setting the Record Straight

Two-State Solution Still Best Option

“In practical terms, we can reach two conclusions: First, a final-status agreement, although its details are known, cannot be secured in the foreseeable future. Second, the time has come to think about other solutions. One of them is a return not to the 1967 borders, but rather, to the reality that prevailed in 1967, when Jordan controlled the West Bank.”
—Major General (ret.) Giora Eiland, “The Jordanian Option,” YNet, September 3, 2008 versus
  • "On both sides of the green line and, indeed, wherever people think about solutions to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, a lot of old/new thinking is taking place. … Most of these ideas are patently unrealistic. Discussion of them often reflects despair, not pragmatic strategic thinking. … Precisely because there is no such alternative, other options more readily suggest themselves, ranging from temporary conflict management to three states or entities. Nor does failure today mean that tomorrow we cannot try again to arrive at a two-state solution, which remains the best option for all."
    —Yossi Alpher, coeditor of the bitterlemons family of internet publications & former director, Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies, Tel Aviv University, "One State Definitely Not an Option," bitterlemons.org, August 18, 2008

    • Middle East Analysis

    • How Progress Is Possible —Hiba Husseini, chair, Legal Committee to Final Status Negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis; former vice chairperson of the Palestine Securities Exchange (1998-May 2005). Interview with Middle East Bulletin.
    • Perils of an Israeli Transition —The New York Times, Editorial
    • The Arabs Will Look Differently Upon America —Ron Pundak, director general of the Peres Center for Peace and former architects and negotiators of the Oslo Agreement (bitterlemons.org)

    Russian Diplomacy: Interesting Two-Steps

    October 22, 2007

    Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Syrian President Bashar Assad (AP)

    October 16-18, 2007 – Iran & Israel: President Putin visits Tehran, the first visit by a Russian leader since 1943. Putin is believed to propose a “timeout” in UN sanctions if Iran suspends uranium enrichment. Putin also refrains from specifying a startup date of a Russian-built nuclear power plant in Iran. And Putin suggests greater Russian-Iranian control over Caspian Sea natural gas and oil reserves. Prime Minister Olmert rushes to meet with Putin two days later in Moscow. Olmert’s discussions focus on further developments of the Iranian nuclear issue and preparing for an Israeli push for tougher UN sanctions against Iran.

    February 11-13, 2007 – Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan: Putin meets with Saudi King Abdullah in Riyadh, the first visit by a Russian leader to Saudi Arabia, to discuss the Israeli- Palestinian peace process and greater cooperation in Iraq. Putin also meets with Saudi businessmen to encourage joint economic cooperation, also promising to assist in Saudi nuclear power generation capabilities. Putin then meets with emir of Qatar, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani to discuss improving economic trade relations and the possible formation of a natural gas cartel. Putin concludes his trip by meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah in Amman. The leaders agree to increase military cooperation, sign deals to strengthen trade and economic ties, while reinforcing the need to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

    December 15-19, 2006 – Lebanon & Syria: Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora visits Moscow to shore up Russian political support vis a vis Syria. Siniora also seeks Russian support in creating an international tribunal on the assassination of former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri. A meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad follows this visit. Assad asks Russia to become the main sponsor of the Middle East peace process. The leaders also discuss greater bilateral military and technological cooperation. Assad denies Israeli intelligence reports of Russian weapons sold to Syria being used by Hizbullah during the Israel-Hizbullah War.

    March 3, 2006 - Hamas: Hamas leaders meet with Russian officials in Moscow, nearly one month after Hamas gains control of the Palestinian cabinet. Russia’s official meeting with them, the first Hamas delegation to be received outside of the Middle East, counters Israeli and American efforts at isolating Hamas. Russian officials reiterate that Hamas must transform into a legitimate political movement similar to the Irish Republican Army in Northern Ireland.

    April 26-29, 2006 – Egypt, Israel & Palestinian Authority: Putin meets President Mubarak, the first Russian or Soviet leader to visit Egypt in over 40 years. The leaders discuss renewing Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts, the situation in Iraq, and Lebanon-Syria disputes. Following this visit, Putin becomes the first Russian leader to visit Israel. The meeting comes amid much controversy as Israeli officials question Russian assistance for Iran’s nuclear program and Russian sales of anti-aircraft missiles to Syria. Two days after arriving in Israel, Putin meets with PA President Abbas in Ramallah. Putin promises to assist in training and arming Palestinian security forces, and offers help to rebuild the deteriorating infrastructure in the Palestinian territories.