It's hard to quantify what was accomplished at the Arab Summit. Clearly, the Saudis are feeling pressured to step up and take a leading role in addressing the problems of the region.

Abdullah pointed this out in his remarks, and chided the group's lack of unity, which leaves the region weak and vulnerable to foreign influence and interference.

The next logical step would have been for Abdullah to address the major problems of the region and call for action and co-operation. These include Lebanon, Darfur, Iraq, economic co-operation, fighting appalling levels of poverty and illiteracy in the region.

Abdullah said nothing about any of these issues, and neither did any of the other delegates, except in a very general closing statement. The ONLY issue addressed at this summit was Israel, and the League dusted off the same moldy peace plan they offered a few years ago and held it out as an olive branch to Israel. Not only that, they backed their offer with threats, stating that if Israel didn't accept this peace offer, the "lords of war" would be unleashed. Even the moderate King Abdullah of Jordan is telling Israel they must accept this.

What do you call a non-negotiable ultimatum backed up by threats of violence? Which one of these Arab governments would ever accept a peace proposal offered to them in such a manner?

This summit succeeded only in absolving Arab leaders of any guilt over the failure of peace with Israel. They've offered Israel a deal they know will never pass in Tel Aviv, but it gives them diplomatic cover to refuse to talk to Israel and now blame them for any violence to come.

"There is nothing new under the sun", and the Arab Summit personified the phrase. None of the sectarian conflicts, genocide, pressing economic problems, or peace with Israel were dealt with. Crowned heads continue to bury themselves in the Arabian sand, and the region continues it's march towards civil and social meltdown.

In the next 12 months, we will see all the latest initiatives fail, Olmert will be replaced as PM, Israel will grow weary of the daily rocket barrages and reoccupy Gaza. "There is nothing new under the sun".