Strategic Assessment

Spokespeople from the Obama administration have frequently referred to an ambitious program to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict, yet there is still no meaningful movement along any track. This essay examines the reasons for the current stasis on the Israeli-Palestinian channel and suggests ways to overcome it. The most auspicious idea envisions a gradual process composed of several components unfolding over time and in tandem. The gradual nature, the ability to make corrections at any stage, and the fact that the initial stages do not demand major concessions from either side or an exclusive focus on the permanent settlement lend this process major advantages.