Abdullah’s Chance - New York Times

Nice sentiment by Friedman in the op-ed below that peace can be achieved if the King of Saudi Arabia sticks his neck out for it and asks that we all be friends, but it ignores the basic issue -- the lack of any functioning government on the Palestinian side. Palestinian culture today stands for no more than a cult of death, and wishing otherwise won't make anything productive happen. What did the Paelstinians do with Gaza after Israel withdrew? They trashed it and it is in anarchy, politically security-wise and economically. Until the Palestinians evolve beyond a failed culture (taking a generation, at least), no peace can be achieved unless a third party, perhaps Jordan, stands in to run the security affairs of the Palestinian territories and assure Israel's security for such a sacrifice. Make that modification to your plan, King Abdullah, and maybe we can get somewhere.

Oh, and what about Syria, Mr. Friedman?
Abdullah’s Chance - New York Times