Netanyahu and Abbas must define Israel boundary

I agree with you on most of this, however, I do not think the weakness of the UN can be laid solely at the feet of the USA. Indeed, it is an out dated, bureaucratic entity, more concerned with keeping up appearances and avoiding personal accountability. The US, imperialism aside, as I am not willing to pass judgement on that, is only one of many MANY countries that has come to the conclusion that the UN needs to reshape itself to match the needs of the modern world, or to fade into obsolescence. It is a collection of old men sitting around, bickering with each other, and trying to pass the buck. That is no longer an option, it cheapens the ideals of the UNited Nations, and prevents it from being taken seriously.

Jim, Using this logic, the US should have been able to keep Germany, Japan and Italy. Israel does have a legitimate claim to be recognized as a State by the Palestinians. Continuing the settlements in questionable territory is not part of the solution. Both sides are going to have to make significant compromises to current thinking, which will most likely not happen, and derail efforts at a solution. I could be wrong, but historically the facts indicate otherwise.

  There was never a Palestinian people. Not one Muslim living in this sparsely populated area saw themselves  as such but rather saw themselves as  Arabs aligned with either Jordon or in the case of Gaza, Egypt and some as Syrian or pan-Arab. Lets all of us at least be honest about the history of the region.

Also, The UN actually does not see the West Bank settlements as illegal. This is actually a recent spin on the result of the 67 war. It is clearly seen as "disputed" land that was to be resolved over negotiations.

The difficulty is the presence of a Jewish State of Israel that triggers a knee-jerk dislike of a group previously viewed with less then equal status in the past as members of Arab countries before the 48 war. Israel as a Jewish State, which it is in fact, is also democratic and every citizen regardless of their religion, color or creed is equal under the law.

Discrimination aside, as humans we still have not reached perfection. However, no where in the entire Arab world are Arabs, Muslim, Christian, Druze, Bahai, Sufi, and others have the individual  freedom and choice as they do in Israel. That is one of the reasons Israeli Arabs have no desire to be a part of a new Palestinian State. 

I think the focus is on practical application of a peace settlement. You all may think that all Israel needs to do is trust that her security will be assured. However, we all must realize that we are talking in terms of minutes to Ben Gurion Airport with full view of the planes and the ability to knock them down freely. One plane down is all it would take to create havoc. 

We are talking about a 5 minute drive from the West Bank to the closest Israeli town, pre 67. This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed in a manner that ensures protection of Israeli citizens from terrorist activity.

The most recent children programs on Fatah television is not encouraging as they continuously discuss with these young souls their need to be a martyr and sacrifice their lives in order to occupy all of the land. These are the generations that will be taking over in the near future.  This is not Hamas but Abbas's political wing.

I have more but enough for now. I pray we reach a peace agreement but EVRYONE knows in these parts that the real road to peace in the entire region is stopping Iran from funding terror, arms, etc and from getting the bomb. This will do more for peace then any current negotiation. In fact, peace will be had days after Iran is neutralized. 

The veto power is the wild card. The US may have a large say in the outcome of matters. China and Russia still have the veto power, and will us it against the US when it is to their advantage;geopolitical or nationalist.

I agree with you again, in part, the UN is a dead entity at this time. No nation, however, should have veto power, all nations should support it fully, and the bureaucracy needs to be thinned out, if that is to change. The problem is, none of the members with Veto power will give it up. Russia, China, Britain, France, and the US all need to give up their little get our of jail card, or else nothing demanded by the international community, which the UN is supposed to represent, will matter a whit.

I do not agree, however, that the only real superpower is the United States. It IS  the only unified super-power. But, the economic crisis aside, the European Union is verging on becoming a super-power. When they can agree on issues, they have the power to make things happen. China, also, is at that point, where it is essentially a super-power in all but name. Moreover, US dominance, fed by the old regime of world power bankrupting themselves in the last century, and funding US industry, as they had exhausted their own, is now being repeated by the US itself. The US ecomony is sinking, and fast. Other nations are taking advantage of the fact that US military muscle is stretched thin, and financial clout is slipping. It may very well be too late to save the UN.

But that does not mean the idea should be abandoned, simply the outdated entity. A new venue, built on the same principles, but without veto powers, without a permanent and non-permanent membership, is what the world needs. If enough nations stand together, the will of the stronger nations can be opposed, or balanced. That was the origional idea, no one nation powerful enough to drag the world to war. The League of Nations lacked a backbone. It failed, it was replaced. The UN had a backbone, but it lost it, doomed to fail by the veto powers held by a few self inflated national egos.

I have no support for Imperialism, Neo or Classic. Might may be right, while it lasts, but it never does. I think that is where our perspectives differ, because we are looking at different parts of the same problem. I am seeing how it failed, and you where it failed. The fact is, we both agree that it is broken, but sadly neither of us have the power to step up and fix it.