Mr. Kerry himself promises to be the most effective Mideast peace mediator since Henry Kissinger. Kerry has made this his signature issue and has earned the trust of both parties. He has the full support of President Obama who stands ready to intervene personally to bridge the final gaps if and when the parties get close to a deal.
None of these facts means success is assured or even likely. But they do mean it is possible.
Alan Elsner is a former Jerusalem and State Department correspondent for Reuters and vice president for communications for J Street, a pro-peace advocacy group.
