Obama Makes Strong Push for Two State Solution in Middle East

Every conflict involving global terror and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have their roots in Jerusalem and the areas surrounding that holy land that is sacred to so many world religions. President Obama is trying to leverage his administration's stated emphasis on diplomacy to open doors that have been nailed shut for decades. In order for the rest of the Middle East to enjoy any sort of stability, there must be some resolution reached between Israel and Palestine. Both of those groups of people must be able to co-exist without the constant threat of attack or encroachment by the other.

"The United States can't force peace upon the parties." But Obama said America has "at least created the space, the atmosphere, in which talks can restart." Obama is correct in pointing out America's efforts to help the peace process move forward, but he may be a bit remiss in not addressing the added tension that the U.S. involvement brings to the process.

It's always been clear that the U.S. is not exactly an objective party when it comes to negotiations between Israel and Palestine. And with the U.S. still reviled in most of the Muslim world, Obama has his work cut out for him. It may take years of talk and actions before the administration can make any tangible progress toward stabilizing the Middle East, but the first step will be the establishment of some credibility.