Peace at a crossroads

Propelled by United States President Barack Obama, the Middle East peace process is at an important and decisive crossroad. The next few months could see the greatest advances in the Arab-Israeli dispute since the conflict began 61 years ago. If successful, the outcome of Obama’s initiative could lead to a peaceful and permanent resolution of the Middle East crisis with the Palestinians finally having a homeland. The four thorny dossiers that have been holding up the process — the issue of final borders, the question of the Palestinian refugees’ right of return, the status of Jerusalem as capital of Israel and a future Palestinian state, as well as the security of Israel — could all be solved. That is the optimistic view. Pulling in favor of the optimists is the gargantuan public relations campaign that was Obama’s speech to the Arab and Muslim world delivered in Cairo last month. The