Peace cannot be imposed from conference halls in Turtle Bay. It must be built on mutual recognition, security guarantees and a renunciation of violence.

While some consider the proposed measures for Gaza as a non-starter, there are few other ideas on the table—certainly not for Mahmoud Abbas, whose Palestinian Authority lacks credibility.

Saudi Arabia is playing its renewed ties with Iran, China and Russia against that of the United States.

The United States and its allies have put themselves in a diplomatic box; still, one answer to the dilemma lies on the streets of Iran.