Little cause for optimism

Anthony H. Cordesman is a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a well-regarded expert and commentator in his field.

Following a visit to the Middle East he makes his assessment of the situation in an op-ed piece in the IHT:

"Having just returned from the Middle East, I find it hard to have much optimism about peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Israel sees Hamas' control of Gaza as a situation it cannot do anything about. It also must deal with a weak and divided Palestinian Authority on the West Bank, increased arms smuggling and a growing threat from Israeli Arabs.

Palestinians see a steady growth in Israeli settlements and restrictions, a weak Israeli government and faltering international assistance. And all sides seem to see Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visits as an end-of-administration effort in résumé-building."

Read on here.

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