U.S.-Arab Relations: Forks in the Way Forward

A discussion of US-Arab relations begins with the assertion that al-Qaeda's 9/11 attacks were motivated by US support of Israel against the Palestinians. In addition, pertinent post-9/11 US actions are seen to have further enflamed Muslim rage at perceived continuing humiliation & injustice. It is noted that US President Barack Obama's initial efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict were essentially rejected by Israel, who, it is intimated, is committed to rendering impossible a two-state solution. Meanwhile, despite US diplomatic efforts, Arab countries are in no mood to accommodate US requests at appeasing Israel until an acceptable Israeli-Palestinian agreement is reached. It is argued that trends are pointing to an escalation of antagonism & reemergence of anti-Semitism worldwide. Attention is then given to other regional challenges confronting the US: Iraq, Afghanistan, & Iran. Briefly, some recommendations for how the US should proceed in the region are put forth. Adapted from the source document.