All Policy Analysis by David Makovsky

Only a new U.S. policy that accepts some settlements while rejecting others would practically maintain the viability of two states in the future.

The secretary's latest remarks beg the question: at a time when Israelis and Palestinians are clearly unable to strike a grand deal, why not put ideology aside, jettison the administration's all-or-nothing approach, and lay out more modest parameters on settlements, incitement, and other concrete issues?

The legal consequences of UNSCR 2334 may be significant, while the impact on U.S.-Israeli relations and future peacemaking efforts could be profound.

Although the Israeli political tussle over settlement outposts may have no real domestic legal impact in the end, it could spur President Obama to take UN action during his last days in office.

As he saw it, the key to Zionism was not waiting for others to determine the country's future.

While some officials disagree about the financial particulars of Washington's new military assistance deal, the overall message is one of strong, long-term U.S. support for Israel at a time of massive regional turbulence.

If the adversaries in the Mideast have found ways to deal with each other, why not campuses in the Midwest?

The initiative could boost the Palestinian economic sector in Area C during a period of diplomatic inactivity, but continued cooperation between Foreign Minister Liberman and the IDF could be tested if a rather quiet West Bank returns to violence.

Unlike past reports, this iteration plainly acknowledges glorification of violence from both Hamas and Fatah, but it pays inadequate attention to problems associated with Palestinian governance.

Egypt and Israel are exploring more overt consultation beyond the quiet security sphere, where ties are closer than ever amid shared threats.

The new report indicates that settlement growth is slowing and that most of it is occurring near the security barrier, but not having a declared policy in this regard may open Israel up to more internationalization drives.

While the agreement is unlikely to reset relations between two leaders who have profoundly different worldviews, it may catalyze economic and security initiatives that benefit mutual Israeli, Turkish, Palestinian, and U.S. interests.