Analyst: Mid-East peace talk expectations should be 'very low' With the first substantive talks in years between Israel and the Palestinians getting underway on Monday, David Makovsky, Director of the Washington Institute's Project on the Middle East Peace Process, says the appointment of Martin Indyk as US Middle East Peace Envoy gives the United States their "best hope" of a favourable outcome, but that expectations should be very low. Images and soundbites.