Israeli settlements—and the military occupation needed to defend them—present a central obstacle to peace and to the creation of a viable Palestinian state.

Two recent books on the Israeli settlements explore their corrosive effect on Zionism and Israeli society.

Elliott Abrams examines recent news of Jews in Denmark being warned against openly wearing religious symbols amid rising anti-Israeli sentiment in Copenhagen.

Elliott Abrams says if the recent truce announced in Cairo truly brings the Gaza war to a close, it is not too soon to assess who gained and who lost from this conflict.

Elliott Abrams says, "The next three to six months in the Middle East will make Obama administration officials look back to 2012 with nostalgia as a quiet time when they were able to focus on the campaign. The coming year will be much tougher—starting now."

Elliott Abrams sums up impressions of a recent trip to Israel, where he found Israelis worried but not depressed about the challenges they face and wistful about what they see as the ways in which American power could address the major problems--but is not being used.

Elliott Abrams says that while former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert claims he had very nearly clinched a peace deal with the Palestinians before leaving office, an agreement was in fact not at hand.

Elliott Abrams discusses George W. Bush's recent speech on U.S. human rights policy and the Obama administration's lack of enthusiasm for promoting freedom.

Elliott Abrams explains the grounds for an Israeli attack on the Iranian nuclear weapons program, and for American support of such an attack.

Elliott Abrams says that a clearer statement from President Obama about his determination to prevent Iranian acquisition of a nuclear weapon is still needed.

Elliott Abrams says the politicizing of intelligence on Syria is part of the Obama administration's continuing defense of its failure to help the Syrian opposition and is a misuse of the intelligence community.

Elliott Abrams assesses President Obama's speech to the AIPAC Policy Conference.

Elliott Abrams argues that President Obama's recent State of the Union address settled the matter on the existence of an Obama Doctrine.

Elliott Abrams argues that such a thing as conservative foreign aid exists, but the current GOP presidential candidates have yet to define it.

Elliott Abrams discusses the legacy of former U.S. vice president Dick Cheney.

Elliott Abrams discusses a recent letter from a group of American leaders urging President Obama to adopt a Middle East policy far more critical of Israel.

Elliott Abrams reviews Jack O'Connell's King's Counsel.

Elliott Abrams reviews What Is a Palestinian State Worth? by Sari Nusseibeh.

Elliott Abrams says that hostility toward Israel should be left out of the debate over striking against Iran's nuclear program.

Elliott Abrams says the United States--rather than Israel--may strike against Iran's nuclear program.