http://www.newrepublic.com/article/119022/2014-gaza-war-why-obama-and-kerry-have-failed-end-it

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August 10, 2014

Ending the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Is No Longer a Vital American Interest

By John B. Judis

Since the breakdown of negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians at the end of March, the Obama administration has become openly critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and more inclined to mediate between the parties rather than siding with one party against another. That has continued through the war in Gaza and the various calls for a ceasefire.
But as the here-and-gone-and-back-again ceasefire makes abundantly clear, the administration’s new stance has had little impact on the Israelis or the Palestinians or on the war, because it has not come as part of a concerted effort or a discernible strategy. That partly reflects administration disillusionment with the peace process, but it also reflects overall political changes in the Middle East. These changes have reduced the importance to the Obama administration, and perhaps to future American administrations, of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  http://www.newrepublic.com/article/119022/2014-gaza-war-why-obama-and-kerry-have-failed-end-it