• Research
  • Diwan
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie Middle East logoCarnegie lettermark logo
LebanonIran
{
  "authors": [
    "Marwan Muasher"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center"
  ],
  "collections": [
    "Arab Awakening"
  ],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "menaTransitions",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "MEP",
  "programs": [
    "Middle East"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Middle East",
    "Israel",
    "North Africa",
    "Palestine",
    "Levant",
    "Maghreb"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Security"
  ]
}

Source: Getty

In The Media

Political Will Needed for the Arab Israeli Peace Process

The parameters of the Arab-Israeli peace process are known. What is needed is the political will.

Link Copied
By Marwan Muasher
Published on Apr 10, 2014

Source: WNYC Brian Lehrer Show

“Post-independence, no Arab country has given serious attention to putting into place democratic institutions that would ensure a culture of pluralism,” argued Carnegie’s Marwan Muasher on the Brian Lehrer Show. “If the second Arab awakening is to be finally successful, it has to go beyond getting rid of despotic rule and putting in place the necessary pillars for a democratic society.” The United States for a long time prioritized stability over reform in the Arab world and did not pay much attention to the domestic challenges facing these countries in the region, he said. While the process of democratization needs to be homegrown, the United States should support it and let the process evolve on its own.

Turning to the Arab-Israeli peace process, Muasher argued that the U.S. failure to carry through a successful peace process has undermined the U.S. reputation in the Arab world. “We know what the solution is. The problem is not finding a solution, but finding a credible path to get us there,” he said, contending that the more time the process is given, the less of a chance there is for a two state solution. “The parameters are known, what is needed is the political will,” he added.

This interview originally aired on the Brian Lehrer Show.

About the Author

Marwan Muasher

Vice President for Studies

Marwan Muasher is vice president for studies at Carnegie, where he oversees research in Washington and Beirut on the Middle East. Muasher served as foreign minister (2002–2004) and deputy prime minister (2004–2005) of Jordan, and his career has spanned the areas of diplomacy, development, civil society, and communications.

    Recent Work

  • Q&A
    The Myriad Problems With the Iran Ceasefire
      • Andrew Leber
      • Eric Lob
      • +1

      Amr Hamzawy, Andrew Leber, Eric Lob, …

  • Commentary
    The Iran War Is Uncovering the Weakness in U.S.-Gulf Ties

      Marwan Muasher

Marwan Muasher
Vice President for Studies
Marwan Muasher
Political ReformSecurityMiddle EastIsraelNorth AfricaPalestineLevantMaghreb

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

  • Commentary
    Diwan
    Who Is Cutting Cairo’s Trees?

    In Egypt’s dense cities, the disappearance of foliage has health implications and punishes daily commuters.

      • Angie Omar

      Angie Omar

  • Commentary
    Diwan
    Iraq’s Disarmament Path Begins with Reform of the PMF

    The Zaidi government’s objective to collect weapons is constrained by regional conflict, but it can take certain measures at home.

      Ali Al-Mawlawi

  • Commentary
    Diwan
    Old Wine in New Battles

    It is improbable that Israel’s forthcoming elections will alter much in terms of how the country thinks about security.  

      Nathan J. Brown

  • Commentary
    Diwan
    On AI, Cairo Plays China and the U.S. Off Against Each Other

    Huawei pushed hard to enter the Egyptian data centers market, until the Americans made a better offer.

      • Angie Omar

      Angie Omar

  • Commentary
    Diwan
    The Mecca Agreement Unpacked

    The accord represents a pivotal moment in the region to avert a security vacuum in the Gulf.

      Azeema Cheema, Mohanad Hage Ali

Get more news and analysis from
Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center
Carnegie Middle East logo, white
  • Research
  • Diwan
  • About
  • Experts
  • Projects
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
Get more news and analysis from
Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.