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.

Yousef Munayyer offers a fact sheet on the impact of the Israeli blockade on Gaza.

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

Mohamad Bazzi argues that regardless of whether the United States and Israel like it, Hamas represents a majority in Gaza.

Max Boot argues, "Israel had no obligation to allow the ships to reach Gaza, but surely there was a smarter way to stop them."

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 examines "a new round of great power rivalry" involving the Palestinian Authority.

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