In his latest essay in the Atlantic, Benjamin Schwarz says that both Palestinian and Israeli extremists will stop a peaceful solution from ever taking hold in Israel. A two-state solution has been impossible to implement and Israel, he says, may not live to see 100.

Reasons for Schwarz’s pessimistic diagnosis are several. The Palestinian population continues to grow and Israel continues to hold a tight grip to its settlements in the West Bank. Arab hatred of Israel is as heated as ever but the U.S., although committed to a peaceful solution, has not thrust its neck into the ring.

Alas, despite new hopes of peace after the death of Yasser Arafat, and talks between Israel’s Ariel Sharon and Palestine’s Mahmoud Abbas, Schwarz says sees no reason for hope.

Hear a conversation with essayist Benjamin Schwarz about the future of Israel.

Guests:

John Anderson, Jerusalem correspondent for the Washington Post

Benjamin Schwarz, literary editor and national editor of The Atlantic Monthly, author of “Will Israel Live to 100?” in the current issue of the magazine

Anatol Lieven, senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, former correspondent for the Times of London.