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The U.S. Middle East Plan Wins Its First Round
(National Interest) Ahmed Charai - The approach of the "Peace to Prosperity Workshop" in Bahrain was fresh and unique. It starts from the premise that the Palestinians want peace, but, especially, the younger majority wants hope for a better life: modern housing, safe and effective schools, rewarding jobs, peace, order and prosperity. Former British prime minister Tony Blair essentially agreed that a political agreement without an economic vision, and an international commitment to help Palestinians to improve their lives, will flounder and fail. Senior presidential advisor Jared Kushner's great insight is that economic development should come first and shape the discussion for a political solution. His second insight is that a single "grand bargain" is not realistic; that an evolutionary and gradual approach that builds trust along with economic milestones is more likely to succeed. The writer, a Moroccan publisher, is on the board of the Atlantic Council and is an international counselor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.