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Domestic policy and the first step of -- >> it's not in a vacuum though, right? this is going to have reverberations through our world. to be frank, a lot of arab countries are very sick of the israeli/palestinian issue. it's a thorn in their side. they want to have better relationships with israel on security, intelligence, diplomatic issues on syria, on economy and trade. they're just waiting to put this past them. but i think something like this without, you know, thoughtfully preparing the ground will see a lot of protests in the region and these are headaches that the arab states don't ne...

I appreciate the opportunity. i want to wish your new family the best of luck in the future. >> thank you. >> reporter: mr. president, you have been criticized and attacked for the u.n. security council resolution that declared israeli settlements illegal. mr. trump wants to move the embassy. how are you about the u.s. leadership in the arab work and honest broker? will this ignite -- will this protected israel? do you think you should hold israel more accountable, like president bush sr. did? >> i am -- i can continue to be significantly worried about the israeli/palestinian issue. and i'm wo...

Have a real presidency, whether or not realities, including the appointment of jim mattis, secretary of defense, rex tillerson, secretary of state, these men are more steeped in real politics. certainly, they know the realities within the arab world and i think mr. mattis knows israel, at least from a security point of view. i suspect there may be sobering of the president-elect's views when it comes to giving the israelis a greener or even yellow light. at the same time, i think it is fair to say there is going to be a fundamental break and improvement in this relationship between netanyahu a...

Given the president's views, is it intentional it is the secretary of state that would front this and potentially take the hits? >> i think, fred, and by the way, happy new year. >> happy new year. >> i think it is fair to say that when presidents attach their names to initiatives, the reagan initiative, the clinton parameters, it does carry a certain weight. you can argue the president's statement was the abstention in the u.n. security council and that secretary of state, having been the energizer bunny of american foreign policy on the american/palestinian issue, it was appropriate, given t...

Attention whatsoever to whatever the obama administration or secretary kerry has to say. substantively, kerry has made what i think is the most important speech of an american policy maker in decades but politically it clearly is now dead in the water. >> so on that note, aaron, why wasn't this speech given sooner? >> ah-ha. and that's a very interesting question. daniel kurtzer knows, together we've probably written a fair number of speeches by secretaries of state over the years and i think the five minutes to midnight timing on this i think works to the disadvantage of the administration. p...