Uploaded August 2024 | Updated September 2026, 14 hours ago
Ambassador Dennis Ross played a leading role in U.S. involvement in the Middle East peace process for more than 12 years and was instrumental in assisting Israel and Palestine reach the 1995 Interim Agreements and in brokering the 1997 Hebron Accord. He served Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama, and is currently the William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and teaches at Georgetown University’s Center for Jewish Civilization.
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In this insightful conversation, Ambassador Dennis Ross discusses the complexities and ongoing challenges of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, drawing from his extensive experience as a Middle East negotiator. He delves into the nuances of the current situation, emphasizing the desperation on all sides and the difficulty of achieving a sustainable peace. Ross explains how the October 7th attacks by Hamas have intensified the situation, leading to heightened tensions and making it harder for any side to find a way out. He highlights that while Israel seeks to ensure Gaza can never again be a platform for attacks, there is still a long road ahead to defining what victory truly means in this context.
Ross also sheds light on the broader regional dynamics, particularly the roles of other key players like Hezbollah and Iran. He explains how Hezbollah, with its 150,000 rockets, remains a significant threat, capable of escalating the conflict into a full-scale war. Ross notes that while neither side desires such an outcome, the risk remains high, especially with Hezbollah's ongoing support for Hamas within confined areas. Additionally, he touches on Iran's influence in the region, describing it as the "axis of resistance" and emphasizing the need for a coherent strategy to raise the costs for Iran’s continued destabilizing actions, particularly regarding their nuclear ambitions.
Throughout the discussion, Ross underscores the importance of diplomatic relationships and trust-building in negotiations. He shares anecdotes from his past experiences, including efforts to mediate between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. For instance, he recounts how close the parties came to an agreement during the Clinton administration, only for it to fall apart due to last-minute hesitations. Despite the challenges, Ross remains committed to the idea that peace is possible, but only through a process that acknowledges the deep-seated grievances and needs of both sides, coupled with responsible leadership and strategic international involvement.
The program was moderated by veteran foreign correspondent and Emmy-award winning journalist Greg Dobbs, who spent the majority of his career as a foreign correspondent covering the Middle East.
Ambassador Dennis Ross played a leading role in U.S. involvement in the Middle East peace process for more than 12 years and was instrumental in assisting Israel and Palestine reach the 1995 Interim Agreements and in brokering the 1997 Hebron Accord. He served Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama, and is currently the William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and teaches at Georgetown University’s Center for Jewish Civilization.
Please like, subscribe and click the bell to get notifications when we post new videos!
Join our mailing list to get advance info on our upcoming programs and to sign up for livestreams: signup.e2ma.net/signup/1887647/1895526
We rely on our donors to keep our programming going, please consider becoming a donor: vailsymposium.org/donate
In this insightful conversation, Ambassador Dennis Ross discusses the complexities and ongoing challenges of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, drawing from his extensive experience as a Middle East negotiator. He delves into the nuances of the current situation, emphasizing the desperation on all sides and the difficulty of achieving a sustainable peace. Ross explains how the October 7th attacks by Hamas have intensified the situation, leading to heightened tensions and making it harder for any side to find a way out. He highlights that while Israel seeks to ensure Gaza can never again be a platform for attacks, there is still a long road ahead to defining what victory truly means in this context.
Ross also sheds light on the broader regional dynamics, particularly the roles of other key players like Hezbollah and Iran. He explains how Hezbollah, with its 150,000 rockets, remains a significant threat, capable of escalating the conflict into a full-scale war. Ross notes that while neither side desires such an outcome, the risk remains high, especially with Hezbollah's ongoing support for Hamas within confined areas. Additionally, he touches on Iran's influence in the region, describing it as the "axis of resistance" and emphasizing the need for a coherent strategy to raise the costs for Iran’s continued destabilizing actions, particularly regarding their nuclear ambitions.
Throughout the discussion, Ross underscores the importance of diplomatic relationships and trust-building in negotiations. He shares anecdotes from his past experiences, including efforts to mediate between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. For instance, he recounts how close the parties came to an agreement during the Clinton administration, only for it to fall apart due to last-minute hesitations. Despite the challenges, Ross remains committed to the idea that peace is possible, but only through a process that acknowledges the deep-seated grievances and needs of both sides, coupled with responsible leadership and strategic international involvement.
The program was moderated by veteran foreign correspondent and Emmy-award winning journalist Greg Dobbs, who spent the majority of his career as a foreign correspondent covering the Middle East.
