The United States hopes one byproduct of its Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking will be a moderate Arab alliance to counter Iran's influence in the region, but analysts are skeptical the strategy will work. ...

While welcoming greater U.S. involvement, many analysts are curious why the Bush administration is only now connecting the Israeli-Palestinian crisis with other regional problems.

"My first response is 'Good morning.' It took you seven years to recognize that," said Daniel Levy, a former Israeli negotiator now with the New America Foundation.

U.S. policy has been to isolate both Syria and Iran but Levy said this could backfire when it came to getting Arab buy-in on Palestinian statehood negotiations.

He urged the United States to be more inclusive, particularly with Syria, which has hinged its attendance at Annapolis on whether the Golan Heights, which was seized from it in 1967, is raised at the meeting. ...

For the complete article, please follow this link. For more on the upcoming Annapolis conference, please visit the American Strategy Program website.