A column in today's Washington Post with a pretty good take on the complexities involved in putting together a diplomatic solution to Israel and Palestine. It's written as an open letter to President Obama:
You will not, of course, take Netanyahu's no as a final answer on the settlements. You are right when you say they are not only a huge obstacle to regional peace but also a stain on the global reputations of Israel and the United States. But the settlements cannot be treated in isolation or used as trophies with which to win Arab favor. They will eventually have to be for the most part evacuated as part of a give-and-take in which Israel's legitimate security concerns are addressed. For Netanyahu, agreeing to freeze settlements is tantamount to declaring them chips to be bargained away. He will require a good bit more than is on offer now from the Palestinians and other Arabs to make that move.
Getting ready for Obama's trip to Cairo. Getting ready to mark 20 years since Tiananmen. Anything going to happen in Beijing? Likely not.
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