U.S. Policy in the Mideast

Last week, President Bush endorsed Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plans for a unilateral Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. At the same time, Bush also endorsed Israeli views on the fate of major West Bank settlements and the Palestinian refugee issue. This perceived shift in U.S. policy stoked outrage among Palestinians and the Arab world. Saban Center scholars Martin Indyk and Shibley Telhami gave their views on the latest developments and the U.S. role in Middle East peace negotiations.