As President Barack Obama embarks on his second term and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu builds his coalition government, many warn that time is running out for the two-state solution. On the occasion of its publication, David Ignatius joined three of the authors of “The Peace Puzzle: America’s Quest for Arab-Israeli Peace” and USIP's Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen to discuss their own views on whether and why that door is closing, and what the next Obama administration can do to keep it open.

“The Peace Puzzle” was written by Daniel C. Kurtzer, Scott B. Lasensky, William B. Quandt, Steven L. Spiegel, and Shibley Z. Telhami and co-published by USIP Press and Cornell University Press. It offers a uniquely objective account and assessment of the American role in the peace process over the last two decades, concluding with 11 recommendations for the next administration to strengthen its role in resolving the conflict. While the tone of the book remains optimistic, the authors question whether the “determined, persistent, creative, and wise” American diplomacy and leadership that have ushered in breakthroughs in the past can be recaptured and whether the lessons learned from two decades of failures will be embraced.

Speakers:

• David Ignatius, Moderator
  The Washington Post
• Amb. Daniel Kurtzer
  Princeton University
• Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
  United States Institute of Peace
• William Quandt
  University of Virginia
• Shibley Telhami
  University of Maryland