CFR's Robert Danin identifies the winners and losers in the deal brokered between Israel and Hamas to secure the release of Gilad Shalit, abducted by Hamas in June 2006.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs released this statement on October 2, 2011. It was the country's first official response to the September 2011 statement made by the Quartet urging direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

CFR's Robert Danin examines the fragile relationship between Israel and Palestine in light of the ongoing discussions taking place at the United Nations General Assembly meetings.

Elliott Abrams says the UN speech delivered by PLO chairman Mahmoud Abbas made waves and drew cheers but will ultimately hurt his cause.

Palestinians' UN bid for statehood recognition has both perils and benefits for the languishing Mideast peace process, experts say. It could escalate regional tensions, but it has added urgency to reopening negotiations.

Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority, gave this address, calling for Palestinian statehood, to the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2011.

Elliott Abrams says that President Clinton's laying of blame on Israeli prime minister Netanyahu for the lack of progress toward peace with the Palestinians ignores extraordinary change among the Israeli right over the last ten years.

Richard N. Haass argues,"Any [Palestinian] 'victory' at the UN would come with a heavy price tag."

European leaders feel they have a right and duty to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Palestinian plan to ask the UN for statehood in September has provoked intense anxiety in Jerusalem and Washington.

Stewart M. Patrick says President Obama's address to the United Nations General Assembly this year will be his most challenging yet.

The bid for Palestinian statehood at the UN sets President Mahmoud Abbas on a collision course with Hamas, the United States, and Israel. It is crucial to get back on track to a negotiated settlement, say experts.

Steven Cook, Hasib J. Sabbagh Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations discusses the prospects and implications of the Palestinian bid for UN recognition of statehood. Cook cautions that "an American veto or American opposition to this declaration of statehood is likely to roil already intense and uncertain and unstable political environments throughout the region."

Palestinian President Abbas's plan to seek statehood status at the UN next week has spurred new crisis-diplomacy efforts, but political pressures on all sides could make a deal hard to come by, says analyst Ziad Asali.

The Washington Post's Colum Lynch analyzes the Palestinian quest for UN state recognition, which highlights the role of the international organization despite its inability to resolve the Israeli-Palestine conflict.

Robert Danin argues that by adopting a publicly confrontational approach, the Palestinians risk undermining the goodwill and security that Fayyad's nation-building program has so painstakingly created.

Elliott Abrams comments on the UN report on the Mavi Marmara flotilla incident.

Elliott Abrams says that especially in light of the Arab Spring, demands for free elections for Palestinians should be greater.

Elliott Abrams argues that after thirty months of Obama Middle East policy, the popularity and prestige of the United States have declined and negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians appear to be dead in the water.

Elliott Abrams discusses a recent letter from a group of American leaders urging President Obama to adopt a Middle East policy far more critical of Israel.