Elliott Abrams criticizes the Obama administration for making settlement construction the central issue in Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.

If Israelis and Palestinians can't reach an accommodation on settlement construction, talks will end and credibility on all sides--including that of the Obama administration--will suffer, says CFR's Robert Danin.

Elliott Abrams comments on the new round of direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians and cautions the Obama Administration to avoid several potential pitfalls.

The Israeli and Palestinian leaders launched new Mideast talks with seriousness and without theatrics but face a looming deadline on settlements and a tight timeline for success, says CFR's Robert Danin.

Robert Danin, fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations answers questions about the resumed direct Middle East peace talks in this conference call.

Progress is possible in the newly announced Mideast talks, but the Obama administration will need to display deft leadership to overcome deep mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians, writes CFR's Robert Danin.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu discusses prospects for a peace settlement and Israel's security concerns, as well as the challenges presented by Iran.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu discusses U.S.-Israel relations, the threat of a nuclear Iran, the peace process, and the possibility of extending a temporary settlement freeze in the West Bank.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu discusses U.S.-Israel relations, the threat of a nuclear Iran, the peace process, and the possibility of extending a temporary settlement freeze in the West Bank.

Robert Danin says the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, brokered by the United States, is heading toward a meltdown in September.

Elliott Abrams argues, "President Obama makes the Middle East an even more dangerous place."

Palestinians are pleased at the uproar against Israel after its raid on a Turkish-led aid flotilla, but what they--and Israelis--want is more active U.S. engagement in the peace process and an agreement that looks like the one proposed in 2000-2001, says Palestinian pollster Khalil Shikaki.

Elliott Abrams says that amidst the international frenzy over the Gaza flotilla disaster, the Obama administration has abandoned Israel at the United Nations.

Israel's response to a humanitarian aid flotilla off Gaza marked another setback for U.S.-Turkish relations and could complicate the latest U.S.-brokered Mideast peace talks, says CFR's Steven Cook.

Leslie H. Gelb says that while Israeli commandos mishandled the situation on the aid flotilla, Israel was right to storm a ship bound for Gaza.

The"proximity talks" being conducted between Israelis and Palestinians probably won't lead to a final status agreement, say CFR experts Elliot Abrams and Steven A. Cook, but they could lead to the framework for a Palestinian state on the West Bank.

Walter Russell Mead discusses the "proximity talks" in Jerusalem.

While the time isn't ripe for an Obama administration peace plan, the White House should try to reignite proximity talks and possibly work to develop terms of reference and a structure for future final status talks, says CFR President Richard N. Haass.