Warsaw conference an exercise in futility

The two-day Middle East conference that started in Poland's capital Warsaw on Wednesday proclaims it will help promote peace and stability in the region. But it is sailing against the wind if it wants to yield any substantial result. There will likely be "all thunder and no rain" - as the Chinese saying goes - given the deep divisions between the United States and its European allies on such key issues as the Iran nuclear deal, as well as the diverse agendas being pursued by the participating countries.

The foreign ministers and senior officials from 60 countries are attending the conference. But the absence of Federica Mogherini, high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy, and the foreign ministers of key European powers such as Germany and France suggests Europe is not going to fall in line behind the US on the Middle East, especially after Washington last year unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal - the EU still wants to save the deal - and its decision to withdraw US troops from Syria, which Europe considers too hasty.

And the fact that Iran was not even invited, and its ally Russia declined to attend, suggests the meeting will be more like a trial by default against Iran - Washington has already accused Teheran of destabilizing the region and supporting terrorism, and vowed to change its "behavior" - rather than a platform for relevant parties to come together and find a solution to the problem they face through consultations and negotiations.