Obstacle: The US Role In Israel-Palestine

by Mitchell Plitnick There are many false clichés about the Israel-Palestine conflict. There are also some very true ones, though these are heard less frequently. Perhaps the most profound of these was proven once again this week: the United States… Continue Reading

Israel, the US and the Palestinians: A Recipe for Failure

by Mitchell Plitnick When it comes to Israel and the Palestinians, it’s never foolish to be a pessimist. About fourteen months ago, when John Kerry began his quixotic task of driving the two parties toward a final agreement to end… Continue Reading

Tragedy and Perfidy: The Figure of Mahmoud Abbas

by Mitchell Plitnick Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met with US President Barack Obama this week, following in the footsteps of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the month. But unlike Netanyahu, Abbas is a much less heralded or… Continue Reading

Bibi’s Epic Fail

by Mitchell Plitnick Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trip to the United States has ended in an unprecedented failure. On the Palestinian front, the Iranian front and the domestic US front, Netanyahu’s efforts last week ran badly aground. Let’s review… Continue Reading

Israelis and Palestinians Moving Apart, Not Closer

by Mitchell Plitnick It’s a busy week for Secretary of State John Kerry. On Monday, he received Israel’s top two negotiators, Tzipi Livni and Isaac Molho. Then he packed his bags and headed off to the World Economic Forum in… Continue Reading