President Bush wants an outline for a Palestinian State by the end of his term(1). President George W. Bush is drawing fire for his forthcoming trip to Israel (2) while the ongoing negotiations stalemate is negatively affecting both Mahmoud Abbas' and Ehud Olmert's support (7). The IMF praises the Palestinian Authority's moves toward fiscal sustainability(5). Finally, M.J. Rosenberg discusses the necessity of diplomacy in his weekly column for the Israel Policy Forum.

Glenn Kessler reports on the disclosure of a 2004 letter from President Bush purporting to acquiesce to expanded Israeli settlements (1) while Prime Minister Olmert mulls supporting a new bill to compensate settlers for leaving the occupied territories (2). New movements build speculation on the possibility of a peace deal between Syria and Israel (6) (9). Richard Hass discusses a future world absent dominant world powers (8). Finally, President Bush prepares his agenda for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ forthcoming visit.

Fuel begins flowing to Gaza (1) as the United Nations warns of the effects of collective punishment (10). Reuter’s Jeffrey Heller analyzes the effect of accused spy Ben-Ami Kadish on U.S. Israeli relations (4). The Associated Press previews Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ upcoming visit to the United States (5). In Haaretz, Uzi Benziman points out the critical nature of U.S./Palestinian talks(11).

Rami Khoury reports on Arab perceptions of the United States’ policies for the International Herald Tribune (2). The Middle East Times’ Claude Salhani discusses potential consequences of Jimmy Carter’s visit(4). Al-Ahram probes the divide between HAMAS and Egypt (5). The Daily Star examines Israel’s economic consequences from continued fighting (6). Haaretz examines how regional politics are affecting the U.S. Presidential race (9).

ATFP President Ziad Asali discusses how to keep the peace process on track (1). Ynet news covers Mahmoud Abbas¹ upcoming visit to the U.S. (2). In the Independent, Donald Macintyre provides a glimpse into the lives of young Israeli soldiers serving in Hebron(4). Former President Jimmy Carter speaks in Jerusalem about his meetings with HAMAS (5) while a Presidential candidate argues for focus on the region (6). Al-Jazeera (8), Ynet news (10) and the Arab News (9) highlight three different developments negatively affecting life for Palestinians.

Israel allows the PA to open 20 civilian police stations (1). President Jimmy Carter’s trip to the region continues to grab national headlines (3,4). M.J. Rosenberg discusses the launch of the J-Street Project (5)while Jeremy Ben-Ami makes a case for a different meaning of “Pro-Israel (6).” Haaretz is critical of recent fighting in Gaza(10).

In the Christian Science Monitor, Joshua Mitnick discusses the removal of barriers in the West Bank (1). An opinion by Matthew Levitt in the Weekly Standard examines the message that former US President Jimmy Carter sent by meeting with Hamas (2). The relationship between the Israel-Palestine conflict and other regional conflicts is the subject of analysis in an opinion by Ghassan Khatib in BitterLemons(5). In the Daily Star, Rami Khouri argues that there are growing disparities in the Arab world (8). Shmuel Rosner looks at a new Jewish American alternative to AIPAC in Haaretz (11).

Joshua Mitnick reports in the Washington Times concerning Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s reaction to former US President Jimmy Carter’s meeting with Hamas (1). In the Israel Policy Forum, M.J. Rosenberg presents an argument for land distribution regarding current settlements goalposts (2). Moran Banai and Mara Rudman examine the strategy that the US must utilize post-Annapolis in Middle East Progress (3). In the Arab News, Mohammed Mar’i reports that the expected year end peace agreement will not include an agreement on Jerusalem or refugees (8). Gulf News reports that the White House has urged former US President Jimmy Carter to not meet with Hamas leadership (10).

This Editorial discusses the ease with which parties declare war in the conflict rather than peace (1). Mel Frykberg covers the effect the deteriorating economic situation in the Palestinian territories has had on children (2). A poll by Angus Reid suggests that most Israelis are disappointed over the performance of Olmert (3). Joshua Mitnick discusses the results of the recent dismantling of a checkpoint near Ramallah (4). Gazans, increasingly discouraged by fuel shortages, turn to the black market (5). Ghassan Khatib suggests that half-hearted efforts ultimately destroy the credibility of the various sides of the peace process (6). According to BBC, Egypt has declared that there shall be no more violations of the border it shares with the Gaza Strip (7). Barak Ravid and Yoav Stern report on the U.S.’s desire to hold a summit at the Sinai resort of Sharm during President Bush’s visit to the region in order to aid the peace process (8). Yossi Alpher insists in this opinion peace that the settlements themselves are the biggest impediment to security and the success of the economy of the West Bank (9).

An opinion by Ori Nir in the Middle East Times suggests taking the Arab Peace Initiative directly to the Israeli public (1). In BitterLemons, Yariv Oppenheimer argues that continued settlement expansion is the biggest threat to the peace process (4). An editorial in the Daily Star presents a critique of Arab leaders (5). A Walid Awad opinion in Arab News puts forth the notion that an agreement between Palestinians and Israelis should be comprehensive and final and not a phased agreement (7). Shmuel Rosner blogs in Haaretz concerning the statement by evangelist John Hagee in response to recent accusations levelled at him by Rabbi Eric Yoffie, head of the Union for Reform Judaism (10).