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.

Despite its past failings, the intelligence community must be encouraged to craft critical assessments without fear of political interference, writes CFR Intelligence Fellow Frank Procida.

Efforts to bring a halt to the fighting in Gaza show little promise right now, but a new U.S. administration and a changed dynamic in both Israel and the Palestinian territories have improved prospects for restarting peace talks.

In Monday's roundup: Israel's ground offensive in Gaza; Bill Richardson's withdrawal as Commerce Secretary; and Australia's naval partnership with China.

President-elect Barack Obama has expressed willingness to have direct talks with Cuba, the latest step in what experts still view as a long road toward normalizing U.S.-Cuban relations.

Heavy healthcare costs have some U.S. corporations fearing for their future competitiveness in the global marketplace.

The financial crisis has called into serious question the credibility of western governments and may precipitate an eastward shift of power.

Trade problems are an underlying cause of the financial crisis. To truly revive the world economy, a new trade consensus is necessary.

If it hopes to bring peace to the Middle East, the Obama administration must put Palestinian politics and goals first.

The primary objective of this report is to illustrate the most
menacing threats to the world’s great river basins, in order to
encourage dialogue, provoke debate, and urge governments
and other stakeholders to take action before it is too late.

Autocracies such as China and Russia do not represent a sustainable alternative to liberal democracy. In fact, the pull of liberal democracy is stronger than ever.

The United States' unique ability to capitalize on connectivity will make the twenty-first century an American century.

One of the most important figures in Obama’s administration will be his national security adviser. An examination of past advisers shows how to get the job right—or wrong.

International law must find a way to combat modern threats, but it cannot diminish U.S. sovereignty in doing so.

If it hopes to achieve its foreign policy agenda, the Obama administration will need to undo the damage to the Foreign Service wrought by the Bush administration.

The current economic crisis may have one winner: the Chinese financial model, which -- together with the IMF -- holds the keys to fixing the problem.

To avoid some of the mistakes from past Israeli-Palestinian peace processes, the Obama administration should consult Martin Indyk’s insider account.

The next U.S. foreign affairs agenda needs to be more imaginative in considering what the United States will value tomorrow.

Daniel Erikson, director of Caribbean programs at the Inter-American Dialogue, says that expectations of change in U.S.-Cuba policy under Barack Obama's administration might be overly optimistic.

In Tuesday's round up: America's role in the world; oil-rich nations' fortunes; and the conflict in Gaza.