Walter Russell Mead outlines the difficulties in interpreting the politics of American support for Israel.

Walter Russell Mead discusses the increasingly heated rift between the United States and Israel arising from the announcement of further settlements in Jerusalem during Vice President Biden's visit to the region.

An Israeli announcement of more housing construction in East Jerusalem became the focus of Vice President Biden's Middle East trip, but CFR's Jacob Walles thinks the "proximity talks" starting next week are a practical, low-risk way to restart negotiations.

Vice President Joseph R. Biden, in the Middle East to build support for revived Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, issued a strong denouncement of Israeli plans to build another sixteen hundred housing units in East Jerusalem, which Palestinians see as the capital of a Palestinian state. Commentators included those writing about the bad timing and substance of Israel's announcement; others speculated about Israel's stance on Iran and the readiness of both sides for real compromise.

Israeli Ministry of Defense adviser Uri Lubrani's opinion that supporting Iranian opposition is a better policy than considering a nuclear strike has gained momentum in Israeli policy cirlces, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Walter Russell Mead discusses the history of American Christian missionaries in the Arab world and their role in shaping American public opinion.

Walter Russell Mead comments on the disproportionate international treatment of Israel and the differences between critiques of Israel, anti-Zionism, and anti-Semitism.

Micah Zenko describes five issues to consider in the likelihood of an Israeli strike on Iran.

Rather than pursuing a final-status deal now, Israel and the Palestinian Authority should agree to establish a Palestinian state within temporary armistice boundaries.

In this The Guardian op-ed, Aluf Benn talks about the discrepancy between how Israelis view their country and how it is viewed from the outside, offering an explanation for why American efforts to resume the Israeli-Palestinian talks fail to interest Israelis.

Congress is interested in issues related to Middle East peace because of its oversight role in the conduct of U.S. foreign policy, its support for Israel, and keen constituent interest. It is especially concerned about U.S. financial and other commitments to the parties, and the 111th Congress is engaged in these matters. Congress also has endorsed Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel, although U.S. Administrations have consistently maintained that the fate of the city is the subject of final status negotiations.

In an interview with The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg, Elliott Abrams discusses the current Middle East situation and chances for peace negotiations.

New strains in the Israeli-Turkish relationship stem from Turkey's concerns over conditions in Gaza and sloppy diplomacy on both sides, says CFR's Steven A. Cook.

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.

"The Obama administration has an opportunity to break the current logjam in the Middle East by pushing for renewed Syrian-Israeli negotiations," writes Mohamad Bazzi.

Mohamad Bazzi writes that the U.S. and Europe must ensure that the most volatile border in the Middle East--Lebanon's southern frontier with Israel--stays under control.

Mohamad Bazzi writes that negotiating peace between Israel and Syria is both, urgent and feasible and the Obama administration should actively attempt brokering a deal between the two sides.

Listen to Daniel Senor, adjunct senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies, discuss his new book, Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle.

Unlike the Israel-Palestine conflict, improving relations between Israel and Syria is a much more feasible task, writes Mohamad Bazzi.