Two of the intractable problems internationally that have been boiling over into domestic politics for years are the relationship between the U.S. and Cuba and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Now, with Castro ailing, it looks like there might be some movement regarding Cuba, and that could leave the Israeli-Palestinian issue as the insolvable, well into the 21st Century--or is there some hope on this front too? Even in this bleak time, as war between Israel and Lebanon continues, there are some signs that point toward a possible way forward for Israel and the Palestinians--but (and I probably sound like a broken record on this one) only with sustainable and real, serious--really serious--U.S. involvement.

I was in Ramallah last week where I met with Qadora Fares, who was a member of the Palestinian legislature from Ramallah until the recent Hamas sweep.

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