Amid inflamed rhetoric in Jerusalem and strained ties with Washington, Israeli and Palestinian leaders must find ways to avoid an escalation of tensions, says CFR’s Robert Danin.

U.S. midterm elections occur amid deep political divisions in Congress that are blocking policy reforms. CFR’s James M. Lindsay examines the foreign policy choices facing lawmakers.

A refugee crisis in northern Iraq’s Kurdish region is intensifying as winter approaches and the threat posed by ISIS forces shows no signs of abating, says journalist Jane Arraf.

Without a capable military partner on the ground, the United States and its allies will likely consider introducing special forces in the battle against ISIS, says expert Frederic C. Hof.

Another extension to the Iranian nuclear talks could be worked out in November but Iran’s desire to have a large-scale uranium enrichment program remains a major obstacle, says expert Gary Samore.