The U.S. The Arab Spring And Mideast Peace

For decades, the United States has straddled a need to speak to the Arab world and a deep commitment to Israel. With the Arab Spring, that straddle looks harder.

Last week, President Obama spoke glowingly about a U.S. commitment to rising Arab democracy.  To the voice of the Arab people.  And to Israel.

What happens if that Arab voice calls for a Mideast settlement that Israel does not like the looks of?  The President said ’67 borders.  Israel’s prime minister said forget it.  Palestinians are looking to the UN for recognition.  It’s a tough spot for the USA.

This hour On Point:  The US, Israel, and the era of the Arab Spring.
- Tom Ashbrook
Guests:

Dan Kurtzer, former US ambassador to Israel and Egypt and Professor in Middle Eastern Policy Studies at Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.

Michelle Dunne, Senior Associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace