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.

Charles A. Kupchan argues that the Palestinians will achieve statehood by taking what they can get--not what they want--from Israel.

Leslie H. Gelb says failure of the Middle East peace talks will be worse than not negotiating.

Hamas is central to Israeli security and Palestinian politics, yet the international community refuses to work with it. This is a mistake.

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.

Listen to CFR expert Robert Danin discuss the resumption of direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders, the agenda for their September 2 meeting in Washington, and the likely implications of these talks in a media conference call.

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.

Severe political constraints on Israeli and Palestinian leaders cloud the prospects for progress in direct talks due to start later this week, says CFR's Steven A. Cook.

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.

Elliott Abrams argues that Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas sends conflicting messages to the international community and to Palestinians.

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."

Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Walter Russell Mead says, "...neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians are really responsible for the mess that they are both in--and neither party can solve the problem on its own."

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.