Middle East Peace Talks Stall Over Settlements

The United States is backing away from peace talks on the Middle East that are in flux, thanks in part to Israel’s refusal to back down on the issue of new Jewish settlements. Palestinians are saying that direct talks may be over for the time being, and the U.S., after high hopes for progress, is suffering a tarnished record as a negotiator. Has the cause for peace hit another dead end?

For more on this story we’re joined now by Ethan Bronner, Jerusalem bureau chief for our partner The New York Times, as well as Jon Donnison, who is in Ramallah reporting for our partner the BBC.