Aaron David Miller

Aaron David Miller is a distinguished scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. He was formerly an adviser to Republican and Democratic secretaries of state on Arab-Israeli negotiations. On Twitter: @aarondmiller2

Palestine | Sep 20, 2012

Palestine — The Sustainable Unsustainable Status Quo?

In recent months, the issue of Palestine has been pushed off the world’s and region’s radar screens. But is an Israeli-Palestinian meltdown coming soon? And even if a major conflict broke out, would this improve the prospects for a deal? Aaron David Miller answers no — and no.

A Palestinian demonstrator hurls a stone as an Israeli truck fires a water cannon containing a foul smelling substance during clashes at a protest in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh, near Ramallah September 14, 2012. The demonstrators were calling for an end to the Oslo accords, which were meant to pave the way to permanent peace with Israel. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Israel | Aug 31, 2012

Mitt Romney Is Over the Top On Barack Obama and Israel

Some of Mitt Romney's campaign statements on foreign policy have been doozies, writes Aaron David Miller, but none seems to be more exaggerated than his assertion in Tampa that Obama has thrown Israel “under the bus.” Miller has been part of five administrations and says no American president has ever (or will ever) throw Israel under the bus.

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney smiles as he arrives onstage to accept the nomination during the final session of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, August 30, 2012. REUTERS/Adrees Latif (UNITED STATES - Tags: ELECTIONS POLITICS)

Syria | Aug 2, 2012

Exit of Kofi Annan Augurs Rough Ride Ahead for Syria

Aaron David Miller writes that the resignation of UN special envoy Kofi Annan marks the death of all hope for diplomatic solution. We're now in for a prolonged period of confrontation between a weakening but powerful regime and an opposition that can't deal it a fatal blow. When Assad does fall, then the real struggle for Syria will begin.

Joint Special Envoy for Syria, Kofi Annan looks out of a window from his office before a meeting with Major-General Robert Mood of Norway at the United Nations in Geneva July 20, 2012. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse (SWITZERLAND - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY)

Originals | Jun 11, 2012

The Soft Approach Toward Syria Won't Work

We should stop pretending and hoping that somehow sanctions, the Annan plan, negotiating with the Russians, or expelling Syrian diplomats will answer the mail on Syria and stop the killing, writes Al-Monitor's Aaron David Miller. It won’t. There is no way to get rid of Assad on the cheap.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad delivers a speech to Syria's parliament in Damascus, June 3, 2012, in this handout photograph released by Syria's national news agency SANA. al-Assad on Sunday condemned the "abominable" massacre of more than 100 people in Houla, saying even monsters could not carry out such acts, and promised a 15-month-old crisis would end soon if Syrians pulled together. REUTERS/SANA/Handout (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVER

Palestine | May 16, 2012

Israel-Palestine Peace Process Will Return From the Dead

The Mideast peace process may appear to be dead, but rest assured it will return, writes Aaron David Miller, former adviser to Republican and Democratic Secretaries of State on Arab-Israeli negotiations. When it does, it will bring back most of the illusions that have helped to prevent a deal.

Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat (L) speaks during a question-and-answer forum with moderator Aaron David Miller (R) at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, November 4, 2010. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS)

Originals | Feb 28, 2012

Middle East: Only Headaches and Root Canals

Historically, the US has succeeded in war and peacemaking where regional conflict has created opportunities for change. At times, however, that change can be too unpredicatble for outsiders to guide. Aaron David Miller writes that “sometimes getting out of the way of history is a better option than getting run over by it.”