Julian E. Zelizer and Melissa Lerner
Special to CNN
At a time when the Obama administration is dealing with a barely stable economy while trying to address long-term health care, two wars, the environment and the threat of terrorism, many ask whether it is wise for President Obama to try to resolve a problem that has frustrated so many presidents before him.
With the latest events in Iran, there is even more reason for skepticism that progress towards Arab-Israeli peace is possible.
Despite conventional wisdom, when presidents have become personally active in shaping American policy in the region and resolved to make the Mideast conflict a top priority, they've often succeeded in improving Arab-Israeli relations.
Jimmy Carter oversaw the Camp David Accords, which resulted in the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty that secured calm between the two countries for three decades.
| suntak |
June 16th, 2009 12:15 pm ET I believe the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty was settle among relatives. The twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve tribes of Egypt, are blood relatives. |
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| Isabel, Brazil |
June 16th, 2009 4:00 pm ET The reaction of President Obama to what happens in Tehran was, in my view, in measure: he spoke to the Muslims again, and not to the government, saying the he's apprehensive, regardless of the outcome of the recount of votes. President Obama seems to avoid the immediate condemnation of the Iranian government, as did the Bush administration, precisely because it seeks rapprochement with the country. Makes sense. He puts himself next to the people, without pointing fingers to the government. It's good! |
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