Over Israel's objections, American officials have now re-engaged with the Palestinian government, albeit avoiding those aligned with Hamas and continuing to embrace America's preferred interlocutor, the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas.

ECONOMIST: The United States in the Middle East

Mr. WEISMAN: The other reason there's been a drop in support, I suspect, is because you have - the conservatives are now in power, and ideologically they're much more closely aligned with George Bush and the Republican position.

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