https://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2009/05/06/thoughts-on-the-middle-east-chess-game/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 06:04:46 -0400<![CDATA[I notice that Shimon Peres has assured Barack Obama of the full cooperation of Israel in the perennial search for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian situation. Is this to soften up the Americans for the hardball to be played by Big Bad Bibi on his visit to DC on May 18? Maybe, but I doubt it. The Israelis are playing a rather interesting hand at the moment because no matter how much or little their government or people want a peaceful solution to the conflict, the other side clearly doesn&#8217;t. Hamas we know about (read their charter), but Fatah too has hardly been serious about peace-making since Taba, or maybe even ever. [What would Saeb Erekat do if there really was peace?-ed. Move to Switzerland as fast as he could.] Only one side has a decent portion of their populace committed to a two-state solution &#8211; and that&#8217;s Israel. (Yes, I know there would be more Palaestians interested if their lives were better, yadda yadda. But how do you explain the Turks turning Islamist when their lives are better? Oh, yes, it&#8217;s those intransigent Israelis. The Turks, apparently, have no control over their own lives.)]]>Wed, 06 May 2009 07:37:05 -0400<![CDATA[Roger L. Simon]]>https://pjmedia.com/roger-l-simon/2009/05/06/thoughts-on-the-middle-east-chess-game-n217061