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London School of Economics’ Fawaz Gerges on Palestinian efforts to gain statehood at the U.N. and how a veto by the U.S. would impact its reputation...
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Well turning to new rising tensions.
Among Israelis Palestinians and the United States.
President Mahmoud Abbas is expected asked the UN security council for poll members status next week recognition is a state.
When it comes to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
Our next guest says the situation is a potentially.
Explosive.
Issue joining us.
-- was Sturgis professor of international relations at the London school of economics author of the new book the rise and fall of al-Qaeda.
Great to see you thanks for being here and what are we going to see transpired the United Nations will the Palestinians were and what they -- I think the Obama administration really faces in Asia -- -- Pressed between a rock and a hard place.
Obviously the Palestinians will go to the United Nations will seek.
Full -- coalition -- a Palestinian state.
And the Obama administration has made -- big hit it -- -- the Palestinian bid for at its state in the united nations security costs.
This will likely do.
At basically fuel anti American sentiments throughout the range and -- could not have come at the worst -- of a weakening throughout the region.
And that didn't last thing you want is anti American sentiment because that day we need to be resolution.
I muscle wise He will go on the on these and say look this is what America is that what America does not support some determination of the.
Where else He it is also you're the expert on both Middle East and -- al-Qaeda.
Al-Zawahri.
As compared to the nation states of the region.
I personally would dismiss.
He is not He is his -- and -- is fairly clear.
The B and as -- document in the book the rise and fall of al-Qaeda yes this organization.
Are is.
More more form than substance if it really is having al-Qaeda is on the ropes there is no -- that effective organization what's.
No come on -- control no -- most of the managers that eliminated.
They're stopping literally financial youthful recruits.
The chief about -- that was some of another is gone.
No resources to carry out bombings along the -- -- -- -- but the reality is we're talking about propaganda.
Remember this is an ideological what what al-Qaeda is doing now we -- -- ideological battle what.
And suggesting is that the United States should not put itself in this position yet -- he's he's adjusting the president not veto.
This this I have I have a different option OK -- if we say.
But Eason and any sense of our own strategic interest and -- Then surely we should be proactive.
We should not basically be to the period -- saying wait wait realizing that the Obama administration gap has made very deliberate determined.
Choices leading up to this moment the very same week.
Yet as the Palestinians would receive such recognition -- that you know would would can be found.
But the negotiation process between Israel and the Palestinians want and that cannot have been done without the conscious.
Acquiescence and frankly the initiative.
Of the Obama administration Charlotte the Obama administration no doubt that the Palestinians -- is a testament to the failure of American diplomats.
The Obama administration.
Did not convince Israeli prime minister Netanyahu -- to at freeze settlements on the west bank and in the Israelis and -- And and secondly basically -- it did not send up to that -- what and suggesting.
The Obama administration should -- I think we also have to say did not in any any way form a lasting.
Partnership.
With the Palestinians.
Nor orchestrate and drive these negotiations Europe's has other administration you have a -- -- -- -- probably is at the feet of the Israelis but.
The reality is I mean I think come back to what we -- -- the Obama administration mousetrap its own resolution in -- Laying out the American -- -- two state solution -- Jewish state for the Jewish people.
If Palestinian state for the Bosnian people to capitals and -- only laying out the parameters the American patent it does put -- settlement it will be true cause.
They will be consequences.
They will be consequences for all the party but basically does not accept the past -- but at some point.
The language we use surrounding the negotiations.
Rings hollow.
Because these are words and language we have heard repeated over and over and over for 63 year.
Administration after administration Palestinian leader after Palestinian leader Israeli leader after is really so.
What are you saying you're seeing trends that that and trusting what the president at the same the -- and I forget great.
The United States.
Moscow beyond words into initiatives and actions the United States Israel and the Palestinians and and the international community we -- not so sure about what I no longer so sure about the international European the United Nations is that -- -- -- -- it is it is not helpful in this process -- hasn't -- you know -- the reason why the United Nations -- social -- because the the -- -- -- is to prevent escalation of hostilities the shift the debate from the street and because you've got to see.
If we -- to the resolution.
As it seems to be the case you gonna see not only a rise in anti American sentiment is gonna see hostilities it got to see if that Intifada.
And now in particular this is -- any any significant historical moment.
It's the beginning of the end of the authoritarian order and then at least it's awakening whoever believe that -- that his and that's why you're lipstick outsiders don't laugh and tell you.
I think that bad judgment.
Then conclusion is a long way from being factually as I am I you're absolutely correct it's gonna take time it will be setbacks institution building is difficult.
But I -- you do if we support these self determination of the -- and people.
If we support the self determination of the -- people as we should.
Should support the self determination of the Palestinian people in we'll send it will send a strong statement -- if you want including including.
-- -- -- but DO nicely is on the side if the people in the middle east of the war has long way to go to -- -- you have documented.
I his credentials as having no -- standing -- with the United Nations stated that I -- -- -- and -- Palestine beat the -- uprising we have uprisings have -- -- huge divide between the nationalistic ideology about hi that and the universal aspirations -- our.
I just -- -- -- -- I have great faith and the intelligence and the aspirations of the Arab -- salute our so much so that I expect rational behavior.
And ultimately positive and productive conduct.
Even in these negotiations.
Boss thinks it is always great to see a professor -- insurgents.
London school of economics -- work -- rise and fall of al-Qaeda Abu.
