"Netanyahu, who is essentially a righwing Republican in American terms, took advantage of the victory of the Republicans in the House of Representatives to simply defy Obama. He has refused even to present a proposal for a freeze on further colonization to his cabinet! This notwithstanding an offer by Obama to give Israel advance fighter jets in return. The Guardian revealed that the Obama administration had pressed the Israelis to come up with a map with clearly defined borders of what they claimed as Israeli territory. The US hoped that such a clearly drawn border would discourage further Israeli settlement in what would surely be Palestinian territory. Netanyahu blew Obama off and refused to consider starting with the shape of the borders."http://www.juancole.com/2010/12/israelis-jettison-peace-talks-in-favor-of-massive-land-theftbrazil-argentina-recognize-palestinian-state.html"BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) Argentina announced Monday that it recognizes the Palestinian territories as a free and independent state within their 1967 borders, a step it said reflects frustration at the slow progress of peace talks with Israel.President Cristina Fernandez informed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of the decision, which follows a similar move by Brazil, Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman said."http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jSJuERC8IRVch1Jq7NVRjLMWqMSQ?docId=6d0d0a3bd0234dc089643fca95c7f64cThe world toddles ahead while the U.S. fiddles.Stephen Walt: What's Plan B in the Middle East? Or maybe it's Plan C...Here