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09/02/2010

Is it possible to reach peace in the Middle East? Israelis, Palestinians and negotiators from around the world -- and the United States, in particular -- are making another go at it. Still, expectations have never been lower. When US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ceremoniously opens the talks on Thursday, she will be flanked by two men who don't trust each other, but who at least have one thing in common: The status quo has been good for them both, bringing a degree of calm and economic growth.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas are in no way the dream team for peace. The former leads a governing coalition made up of committed settlers and Arab-haters; the other rules over only 60 percent of his people -- Abbas is only in charge of the West Bank, while the militant Hamas movement controls the Gaza Strip -- and has already announced his plans to retire.

Given these circumstances, what can we expect from the talks in Washington? SPIEGEL ONLINE analyzes the risks and opportunities and provides answers to the most important questions related to the peace process.

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• Next

• Part 1: Do Peace Talks in Washington Stand a Chance of Success?
• Part 2: Will Benjamin Netanyahu Even Negotiate at All?
• Part 3: What Do the Palestinians Want?
• Part 4: What Effect with the End of the Moratorium on Settlement Construction on Sept. 26 Have?
• Part 5: Will There Be a Serious Peace Process?