Publication

This paper reviews the results of the Annapolis Middle East Conference of November 2007 and assesses its expected impact on the region. It points to the conference's positive achievements such as the broad commitment to the Middle East peace process, yet also highlights numerous unsolved challenges. The author summarizes US policy toward the region, examines the limited political latitude and diverging priorities of the political players involved and considers the US' reassessment of Iran. The paper argues that the Annapolis Conference was reduced to a largely ceremonial function.