A new era is dawning in the Middle East. As Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat hovers between life and death in a Paris hospital and U.S. President Bush starts a second term, there are new calls for reengagement in the region.
Some believe that Arafat’s absence will make it easier for the U.S. to once again establish itself as a peace broker. But without Arafat, some fear further splits within the Palestinian ranks, which would make it more difficult to negotiate peace agreements.
Hear a discussion on the future of U.S. policy and peace negotiations in the Middle East after Arafat.
Guests:
Senator George Mitchell, former Envoy to the Middle East in the Clinton Administration
Judith Kipper, Director of the Middle East Forum at the Council on Foreign Relations
Tahgreed El Khodary, correspondent for Al Hayat, LBC Television and stringer for The New York Times
Serge Schmemann, Editorial Page Editor, International Herald Tribune in Paris.