Some very positive results seem to be emanating amidst a surge of diplomatic activity in the Middle East.  One such development was the third conference of Iraq's neighboring countries which recently took place in Kuwait to discuss the country's security situation and development.  During the conference, which was attended by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki complained that Arab neighbors have done little to upgrade their diplomatic ties and missions with Baghdad.  He also reiterated his country's demands for relief of its debts.  Kuwait indicated that it will take steps to open an embassy in Baghdad, and Saudi Arabia said it would also be amenable to reopen its embassy there as long as security is guaranteed by the Iraqi government.  Full diplomatic relations with Iraq by all regional and international powers will surely aid in the support and legitimacy of the present government of Nouri Al-Maliki and lead to stable development and hopefully security gains as well.

On the long standing Arab Israeli conflict, there are serious indications that Israel is willing to return the Golan Heights to Syria as part of a new peace initiative.  In fact Turkey has been playing the mediation role and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently flew to Damascus to discuss the possible resumption of peace talks between Syria and Israel.  Should such a deal finally take place, it would give Syria breathing room and allow it to be able to pursue a more independent foreign policy than Tehran.  This would also be a big step in resolving part of the Israeli Palestinian conflict and will definitely lead to further advances in that as well.  The Palestinian issue is of paramount concern and once it is resolved, there will be much less ammunition for radical organizations in the area as well as the Islamic Republic to advance destabilizing policies in the region.