As the United States plans to spur Mideast peace efforts, CFR expert Elliott Abrams says progress in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will come through development and building a legal system in the West Bank, not negotiations when the conditions aren't ripe.

Elliott Abrams, former chief Middle East adviser on the National Security Council, says the Obama administration's move to send diplomats to Damascus for talks marks "a real policy change" but he is doubtful it will amount to much.

CFR fellows Elliott Abrams and Micah Zenko debate whether the United States and its allies should intervene beyond sanctions on the Qaddafi regime.

Elliott Abrams discusses the latest House hearing on the Benghazi embassy attack of September 11, 2012.

Elliott Abrams analyzes the implications of the forced resignation of the Palestinian Authority prime Minister, Salam Fayyad.

Elliott Abrams provides his insight as former secretary of state for Latin America and reviews the Chilean film, "NO," which is set during the Pinochet presidency.

Elliott Abrams forecasts "trouble ahead" in Europe, once its passport-holding jihadis return home from fighting in Syria.

Elliott Abrams analyzes President Obama's news conference in Ramallah.

Elliott Abrams analyzes President Obama's speech in Jerusalem.

Elliott Abrams says recent Israeli press reports that Washington gave Europe the green light to summon Israeli ambassadors over settlement construction may not be wrong.

In the coming months after his reelection, President Obama faces a number of Middle East crises, the most pressing of which are Iran and Syria, says Elliott Abrams.

Jimmy Carter is at it again, says Elliott Abrams on the former president's latest vilification of Israel in a recent Al Ahram interview.

While Christian communities in the Arab Middle East are decimated or endangered, the Christian community in Israel grows. Yet the mainline Protestant denominations in the United States continue to assault Israel and demand cuts in American aid to that country while ignoring the plight of their Christian brethren, says Elliott Abrams.

Elliott Abrams says the killing of the U.S. ambassador to Libya and attack on U.S. mission in Cairo raise troubling questions about leadership of these two countries.

Elliott Abrams says every Democratic Party platform since 1992 has cited Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state—but this year wasn't so simple.

In an op-ed in the Weekly Standard, Elliott Abrams presents the argument for why President Obama should seek an Authorization for the Use of Military Force from Congress to be used against Iran.

Elliott Abrams examines the recent upswing of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel activity in Scandinavia.

Elliott Abrams says the return of Bandar bin Sultan as head of Saudi Arabia's intelligence service may "bring Saudi views and interests back to the center of Arab decision making as well as the inner circles in many other world capitals."

Elliott Abrams says that Mitt Romney's positions on issues in the Middle East will be "good bets" in the upcoming election.

Elliott Abrams discusses the astonishing American inactivity as Syria crumbles.