Abbas thinks that now is the time to push for a peace deal in the Middle East. He wants President Bush to follow through on this, but what exactly is Abbas offering? What is he coming to the table with? What is he willing to concede?

I can all but guarantee that Abbas will still demand a right of return, Jerusalem, and the removal of all Israeli settlements in the West Bank, plus Gaza. Those are nonstarters in any deal with Israel, where Jerusalem is its undivided capital and the right of return is a nonstarter. The settlement issue is bound to cause major problems for the Israelis as witnessed by the disengagement from Gaza.