Over the summer, five Western allies announced their readiness to recognize a Palestinian state during this year’s annual United Nations General Assembly meetings. Notably, two of these countries — France and the United Kingdom — are permanent members of the UN Security Council. Does this new wave of recognitions signal a potential shift in international consensus, and could the move pressure other governments to follow suit? And as the wider Middle East continues to undergo a strategic realignment, how will the international community respond to transform this regional turmoil into more lasting stability?
This briefing featured Amb. (ret.) David Hale, a Distinguished Diplomatic Fellow at the Middle East Institute (MEI). A career ambassador, Hale additionally served as Under Secretary for Political Affairs. This briefing also featured Brian Katulis, Senior Fellow for US Foreign Policy at MEI, whose career has included time at the National Security Council. In light of breaking news, the two also addressed Israel's strike in Doha and discussed how shifting dynamics in the Middle East may shape international consensus and prospects for regional stability.