Nowhere is the gap between expectations and reality hitting Barack Obama harder than in dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Good intentions and the obvious American desire to promote a deal seem to have quickly crashed on the shoals of a reality that has confounded past mediators. It's no wonder that, in the region and outside, observers are questioning whether the two-state formula is still viable.
As with so many other tough policy questions faced by the U.S. President, the jury is still out on his performance. Mr. Obama certainly started out on the right track by stating firmly that “Israeli-Palestinian peace is an American interest.” But his actions thus far belie an understanding of what makes the parties tick and both sides are frustrated.
