Next week's Middle East conference in Annapolis likely won't bring any meaningful change to the Israeli-Palestinian situation. Condi "Minute" Rice is not highly regarded in that region for her diplomatic skills, and most realize that this is an attempt by lame duck Dumbya to create something of a legacy, after 7 miserable years of foreign policy debacles. The conferees will go through the motions, issue bland statements, and adjourn with little accomplished beyond burning a lot of jet fuel.
Interestingly, the Saudis were nearly the last to accept an invitation to the conference. The royal Saudi foreign minister has also vowed not to shake the hand of any Israelis. Maybe Dumbya can act as an intermediary, since he's held so many Saudi royals' hands in the past.
