16 Quotes by Jon Alterman

It's a 12-step program. The first step is to admit you have a problem. They still have 11 steps to go.

It's a lot of excellent, well-meaning people who have an impossible job to do, ... There's no way they can make both sides happy when they're done with their investigation and filing their report.

It's significant in that it changes the atmosphere. It creates opportunities to build confidence.

There was a sense the president was on another planet. What the president has done in the last week or so is be much more frank about challenges without diluting his optimism. ... It puts him back in the debate.

In real terms, all U.S. policy likely comes down to now is making sure the violence in Gaza does not spill over.

I don't see why anyone thinks this is going to be resolved any time soon. The U.N. will be managing this issue for years.

He (Abbas) didn't come away with a whole lot and he's looking at elections in January and he can't be too pleased,