Failed bilateral talks have shown that a Middle East peace accord can never be reached by the parties themselves. Henry Siegman advises that addressing Hamas’ legitimate grievances could lead to a Palestinian coalition government that would provide Israel with a credible peace partner.
Daniel Seidemann likens the Israeli-Palestinian situation today to that of 2000, when a depleted peace process along with events in Jerusalem triggered an eruption that devastated the political process and sparked a bloody conflict.
An escalation of violence in north-west Afghanistan is often ascribed to increased activity by the Taliban. But Ståle Ulriksen suggests that a large part of the violence has other sources, and that Norway, as the lead nation, must accordingly rethink its project in the region.
Jacob Høigilt and Øystein H. Rolandsen argue that Egypt could play an active role in the diplomatic process surrounding the Darfur conflict – if it is willing to pay the political costs of increased engagement.
