That is an impressive list when put together. Most of these problems are thorny knots that have gotten progressively worse - even calming them down is a real accomplishment. To me what is impressive is that he is that he is talking to everyone, pulling all sides somewhat closer together than they were.
This article convinces me that Kerry was the right person to be Secretary of State and that there is a real chance that in that job, he can make a real difference - more than he could as Senator.
I am really impressed with the start he has made in the Middle East. That Turkey and Israel are mending their relationship is a big deal - and it is obvious that he played (and is playing) a role here. Both Israel and the Arab world have made some baby steps - for the first time in 4 1/2 years and that is impressive. The fact that the Arab League is publicly speaking of "land swaps" is important -- as are reports that Israel has quietly stopped building settlements. Here is a link to a Haaretz (a left leaning Israeli paper) report on Kerry's meeting in Rome with Tzipi Livni.
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Kerry and Livni praised the Arab League delegation's decision last week to accept shifts in Israel's border as part of a long-standing offer of universal recognition for Israel in the Arab world — if Israel withdraws from territory it conquered in the 1967 war.
Kerry said the Arabs "want to keep the process going" and have asked for more meetings.
<snip>
Livni said peace was in the interests of Israel and the Palestinians. She praised Kerry for "recreating hope" after years of stagnancy.
"Some of us lost hope and this is something we need, not just as a vague idea, but something which is concrete," she told reporters.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/kerry-to-return-to-mideast-for-a-new-effort-on-israeli-palestinian-peace-1.519934
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