December 2009

The peace process in the Middle East is about to collapse. When at the beginning of 2009 it seemed that the major force - the United States - was coming back into play, expectations rose. However, 11 months into Barack Obama's presidency there is little, if any, hope left that the strategy of the new American administration can wield any positive results. This diplomatic standstill is detrimental to the international community's interests because it serves extremists and, if sustained, could soon lead to an escalation of tensions. The US, weakened by the economic crisis and intensely engaged in Afghanistan, would benefit from renewed involvement by the European Union. The way forward in the Middle East peace process is to bring additional mediators onto the field to act in concert with the US. There are no guarantees of success, but so far the EU's potential to impact the Middle Eastern situation has never been seriously tested.