before that kofi annan, who is now the chairperson of the elders, was the envoy for peace in syria. so in many ways, the elders have remained quite deeply involved in the struggle for peace. we have a few characteristics -- first of all, none of us are involved in politics directly. many people have described us as has been politicians. we have had important positions in the past, but one of our requisites for membership is we don't hold any public office. one member stepped down when she was elected to the parliament. that's one of, i'd say, opening to freedom. we go where we wish, we meet with whom we wish and say what we wish. so that has given us an pportunity not only to meet, as we wish, with the leadership in hamas. and we also request to north korea to try to bring some better resolution -- relationships with north korea. i need not go down the list of the things we go. we go where we wish. so we have an insight which we always share at the end of our sessions with leaders who are directly involved and still holding public office. and that includes the president and secretar

and kofi annan was offered to take up the special envoy's task. while i was if new york. while i was in new york. i was extremely disappointed that the permanent members were so incapable of starting to talk. because they are permanent members, and i'm an old u.n. hand, as many of you know. i always say that permanent members have an important and responsible task which they have to follow. they have more responsibility than ordinary members of the security council. and talks with the permanent members, i didn't feel that it would have been impossible to find a common position. without going any further on the details. you heard lakhdar brahimi say that what has happened and how the situation has deteriorated, but the day when i thought about these interlinkages, i'm today much more optimistic than perhaps a few months earlier for various reasons. some have nothing to do with these three countries that our chairman mentioned. if i look at how i see that the permanent members are getting their act together on other issues as well, i mentioned that north korea, it's today i

some issues.ry tough he was also a particularly advisor al and trusted to the secretary general kofi annan. will be discussion indick who y martin is the vice president and director of our foreign policy program. but i think that for purposes of today's event, his real claim to fame is that he saw in jeff immense talent that have already eluded to and counted on jeff's help as a olleague particularly in working on the economic issues he ng the gaza strip when was the economics officer at the embassy in tel an when mar tip was ambassador there, at least one of his two stints. a martin, after leading brief discussion among the panelists will throw the proceedings over to all of you. allowed to keep your as they're inlong silent mode and particularly if ou're prepared to tweet the #u.s.diplomacy. >> u.s. diplomacy? >> sorry, u.n. diplomacy. right.ut i'm showing my own background, i guess. thank you. >>. [ applause ] me riends, colleagues, let begin by thanking brookings. to player thank martin and bruce for the nvitation to speak about the u.n.'s diplomacy in today's crises. alluded, i credit