Robert Danin argues that by adopting a publicly confrontational approach, the Palestinians risk undermining the goodwill and security that Fayyad's nation-building program has so painstakingly created.

Max Boot says the fall of Muammar al-Qaddafi will create a dangerous situation in Libya, and NATO and the UN will likely have to send economic aid and peacekeeping troops.

CFR's Director of Studies James Lindsay and Director of the International Institutions and Global Governance Program Stewart Patrick preview major world events in the week ahead.

In this week's podcast: The famine in the horn of Africa continues to unfold; Rebel gains in Libya may accelerate talk of an end to the conflict; and the UN Security Council debates its peacekeeping operations.

As the uprising continues in Syria, the international community moved to condemn the Assad regime in the aftermath of the government's attacks on the city of Hama. CFR's Elliott Abrams and Robert Danin discuss how these developments affect U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle East.

UN Security Council resolution 1999 was adopted without vote on July 13, 2011. In the resolution, the Council recommended to the General Assembly that South Sudan be admitted to the UN.

Writers for the Economist argue that President Obama will have a difficult time trying to convince Palestinians that they should direct their arguments and conduct negotiations for statehood through Washington as opposed to through the United Nations in September.

In this New York Times op-ed, Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, lays out his case as to why the General Assembly, meeting in September, should admit Palestine to the United Nations.

Leslie H. Gelb discusses the African Union's cease-fire proposal in Libya.

Max Boot argues that the only way the crisis in Libya can end is to remove Qaddafi from power.

Richard N. Haass provides three scenarios the United States will likely face in dealing with Libya and says the question of whether to intervene is now of less importance than what to do next.

President Obama's decision to intervene in Libya is hobbled by poor timing and muddled objectives, but charges that the war is illegal are unfounded, says CFR's James Lindsay.

Micah Zenko says while the U.S. military should play a role in supporting the no-fly zone enforcement in Libya, it should not be used to remove Qaddafi from power.

Leslie H. Gelb says the United States is participating in the no-fly zone over Libya despite the absence of vital U.S. interests there.

Micah Zenko says the United States, France, and Britain must be clear about their objectives in Libya.

As fighting continues in Libya between anti- and pro-government forces, the Obama administration has warned that it is considering all options, including military intervention. Conflict prevention expert Micah Zenko and international law expert Matthew Waxman discuss the Obama administration's options in Libya and their implications.

Timothy Garton Ash discusses whether to intervene, or not, in Libya.

Gideon Rachman discusses why the international community has been hesistant to implement the "responsibility to protect" act as it contemplates unlikely foreign intervention in Libya.