Palestinian Territories

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.

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.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad is an Iranian-inspired Islamic militant group that aims to derail the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and eliminate Israel from the region.

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