The Hypothetical Peace Plan

US envoy George Mitchell’s tour of the Middle East has prompted Obama to shift his desired role in international affairs from ‘problem solver’ to one of Middle Eastern ‘mood-setter.’ Israeli officials say that following Mitchell’s visit to Israel, it is "unlikely" that Obama will propose a peace plan anytime soon; rather, for the moment, he will focus on creating a "favorable dynamic" for talks. Before he arrived in Israel, Mitchell made his way around the region, visiting the UAE, Syria and Egypt and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to consolidate Arab support for Obama’s supposed peace plan. The plan seemed to be still in the works when Mitchell met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Monday and following his slew of meetings with Israeli leaders, it became clear to them that Obama’s peace plan would remain a hypothetical for some time.