If Putin is able to persuade Saudi King Salman to accept Assad’s return to the Arab League summit — and calm the animus between Iran and Saudi Arabia — the Russian leader's reputation in the Arab world will soar.

For 24 years both Israel and Palestinian negotiators have been constrained to one model for peace: a two-state solution. As both sides reject this option, and as Donald J. Trump assumes the office of the US Presidency, there is a unique opportunity to consider other solutions, other paradigms for peace.