Middle East Peace: Ground Truths, Challenges Ahead

There is a profound trust deficit between Israelis and Palestinians, deep divisions between Palestinian factions in Gaza and the West Bank, perhaps even to some degree, with some leadership ensconced in Damascus, an Israel coalition government that initially retreated from prior peace initiatives, and a profound frustration in the region with the lack of progress since the President's Cairo speech raised expectations and new hopes.

While some are deeply skeptical, I do continue to believe that, to a greater extent than many realize, the conditions are in place for significant progress, but only if all sides can summon the leadership, the commitment, and the courage necessary to make lasting peace possible.