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.

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.

At a time of renewed scrutiny of U.S. policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, veteran Middle East expert Robert Malley, who served as special assistant for Arab-Israeli affairs for President Bill Clinton, calls for rethinking Israeli-Palestinian talks to address concerns of Palestinian refugees and Israel's right wing.

Expert Rashid Khalidi says it is crucial for Palestinian rivals Hamas and Fatah to reconcile to effectively negotiate a two-state solution with Israel or face a troubling status quo.

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.

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."

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.

Martin S. Indyk, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, says incoming President Barack Obama cannot solve the problems in the Gaza Strip unless he takes a broad approach that includes diplomacy with Iran and Syria.

Karim Sadjadpour, a leading scholar on Iran, says even though Iran is a major funder for Hamas, it does not seem to have direct control over the Palestinian group.

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.

Steven A. Cook, CFR's leading Middle East expert, says the latest attacks by Israel against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip were "not surprising" given the renewed rocket attacks on southern Israel from the Gaza, and the political and military environments in Israel.

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.

Contrary to many analysts of the Middle East, Aaron David Miller, who has served as a Middle East negotiator for presidents of both parties, sees reason for optimism in the current process.

Daniel C. Kurtzer, former U.S. ambassador to Egypt and Israel, says the next U.S. president must make Israeli-Palestinian negotiations a priority.

Steven A. Cook, a Middle East expert, says he sees no chance the United States would break away from Israel and deal directly with Hamas in the Israeli-Palestinian peace dialogue, even if it might help move negotiations forward.

Henry Siegman, an expert on Middle East negotiations, says no peace will be possible between Israel and the Palestinians unless Hamas is brought into the talks.

Khalil Shikaki, a leading Palestinian political scientist in the West Bank, says the fall of the Gaza-Egypt barrier has boosted the popularity of Hamas.