Navtej Dhillon says that reconstruction of the Gaza Strip requires policymakers to understand the importance of Pakistan's fragmented economy.

Elliott Abrams argues, "we are not on the verge of Israeli-Palestinian peace; a Palestinian state cannot come into being in the near future; and the focus should be on building the institutions that will allow for real Palestinian progress in the medium or longer term."

Elliott Abrams writes, "Secretary of State Clinton must reject Hamas "unity government" ploy."

Among the scores of Palestinian prisoners whom Hamas wants freed in exchange for Israeli Sgt. Gilad Shalit is Marwan Barghouti, the most popular man in Fatah, says Ilene R. Prusher.

Daniel C. Kurtzer, a former top U.S. diplomat in the Mideast and a recent adviser to Barack Obama, says divisions in the Israeli electorate will paralyze the political process and could lead to an extended "hiatus" in peace-making.

Leslie H. Gelb writes, "America's new envoy to the Middle East just returned from his first listening tour, where he undeniably got an earful. But the next big step in U.S. leadership will have to be much more than just parading Israelis and Palestinians to the negotiating table."

Aaron David Miller, a former top U.S. Mideast negotiator, says that naming George J. Mitchell as the new special envoy for Arab-Israeli issue shows the Obama administration is substituting "process for substance."

Libya's autocratic leader Muammar Qaddafi presents his plan for Middle East peace in a rare op-ed contribution to the International Herald Tribune.

Middle East expert Richard W. Murphy says the United States runs the risk of delaying the Israeli-Palestinian peace process by blackballing Hamas. Though opening relations with the group may be necessary, he says he does not expect it to come quickly.

Richard N. Haass writes, "Israel needs a successful Palestinian state almost as much as the Palestinians do if it is to remain democratic, Jewish, prosperous and secure."

Mohammad Yaghi, a veteran Palestinian political expert, says the current fighting in the Gaza Strip wasn't necessary and proposes that the incoming Obama administration consider calling together Arab states and Israel to overcome Hamas' refusal to negotiate with Israel.

After a long delay, the United States adds its voice to those calling for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.  In the longer term, analysts hope prospects for restarting peace talks will have improved once the guns fall silent.

Scott Lasensky, a Middle East expert, says the new U.S. administration should listen carefully to voices from the Middle East and that President Barack Obama's first speeches will be scrutinized for signals on his approach.

Martin S. Indyk, the former U.S. ambassador to Israel, discusses the new leader of the country's ruling Kadima party, Tzipi Livni.

David Makovsky, an expert on Israeli politics, says there is concern a forced resignation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert could unravel his efforts on Palestinian peace.

Martin S. Indyk, who served as ambassador to Israel in the Clinton presidency and advises Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign, says it's crucial for President Bush and Secretary of State Rice to become more involved in sealing a Palestinian-Israeli peace deal.

Listen to Steven A. Cook, CFR's Douglas Dillon Fellow, discuss the status of the Israel/Palestine peace process sixty years after the creation of the state of Israel as part of CFR's Religion and Foreign Policy Conference Call Series.

Learn more about CFR's Religion and Foreign Policy Initiative.