Be Depressed About Mideast Peace Prospects

I am not privy to the discussions that took place privately between US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this month in the White House. From the noise and chatter that has followed this meeting, I believe we should start pondering the consequences of the likelihood that there will be no resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict during this generation. I base this pessimistic short-term outlook on several premises:

First, we now have a new theme, yardstick and mantra for the Arab-Israeli diplomatic universe that continues to be largely shaped by Israeli-defined American logistics: the parties should move to direct negotiations very quickly. While welcoming any opportunity for real negotiations, we should remain skeptical of short-term expectations presented as potential breakthroughs, but end up being little more than delaying or diversionary tactics, cruel mirages in the desert.