News:
Sec. Kerry returns [1] to the Middle East for more peace efforts. (AFP)
PM Netanyahu greets Kerry with a barrage of criticism against Palestinians [2]. (New York Times)
FM Lieberman [3], in contrast to his earlier attitudes, praises Kerry's efforts. (Ha'aretz)
Kerry insists peace [4] is still possible. (Ma'an/AP)
The PLO says it will not accept any "worthless" [5] framework agreement. (Jerusalem Post)
Jordan says any Israeli annexation of the Jordan Valley [6] would violate the peace agreement between the two countries. (Jerusalem Post)
A Palestinian teenager is killed [7] in clashes with Israeli forces near the Gaza border [8]. (Xinhua)
Israel confirms [9] it has launched an airstrike on Gaza [10]. (Xinhua/AFP)
Hamas says it does not want [11] a further conflict with Israel. (Times of Israel)
Egypt accuses Hamas of complicity [12] in the bombing of the security headquarters in Mansoura. (Ahram Online)
Hamas rejects Egyptian accusations [13] it aided attacks [14] against the country. (Xinhua)
The daughter of the Palestinian ambassador in Prague calls his death suspicious [15] and says hemay have been assassinated [16]. (AP/Ma'an)
PLO mission staff say they are not aware [17] of any explosive device in the building. (The Guardian)
A stockpile of weapons was found [18] in the PLO mission where the ambassador was killed. (AP/Reuters)
Residents in Prague want the PLO mission moved [19] after the explosion. (Xinhua)
Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erekat reportedly says he fears Pres. Abbas [20] might be killed by Israel. (Ma'an)
Israeli analysts say Hezbollah is moving long-range rockets [21] from Syria to Lebanon. (New York Times)
US analysts also say Hezbollah is beefing up its arsenal [22] in case of a conflict with Israel. (Times of Israel)
A former Israeli envoy to Argentina says Israel has killed most of those responsible [23] for a 1994 Buenos Aires bombing. (Times of Israel)
Israel conducts a second test of a new ballistic missile interceptor [24]. (Xinhua)
Three UNRWA employees are hospitalized [25] while on hunger strike. (Ma'an)
A museum dedicated to Palestinian culture and identity [26] is set to open in the occupied West Bank in 2015. (The Forward)
Google will fund [27] a new scholarship at Ben-Gurion University. (JTA)
A new car bomb [28] in Hezbollah's stronghold in Beirut kills six [29] and raises further tensions [30] in Lebanon. (AP/Xinhua/New York Times)
Former PM Sharon's health condition is deteriorating [31] and he appears near death [32]. (AP)
Years after going into a coma, Sharon remains a highly polarizing figure [33] in Israel. (Christian Science Monitor)
Two more Americans are arrested [34] in Libya. (AP)
Al Qaeda is making a resurgence [35] in key Iraqi cities [36]. (New York Times/AP)
Egyptian authorities broadcast what they say is a confession by the son of a Muslim Brotherhood leader [37] on terrorism. (AP)
Egyptian police are investigating [38] a TV puppet for "terrorism." [39] (New York Times/Washington Post)
US-Iranian tensions continue to simmer [40] despite ongoing nuclear talks. (Christian Science Monitor)
Analysts see a mismatch in commitments [41] by allies of both sides behind the resurgence of the Syrian dictatorship. (Wall Street Journal)
An Israeli study [42] suggests there are more foreign Shiite than Sunni fighters [43] participating in the Syrian conflict. (IIHCC/Washington Post)
Commentary:
Yehezkel Dror [44] says Israel must now at last relinquish the dream of a "Greater Israel." (Ha'aretz)
Barak Ravid [45] says the ball is now squarely in Netanyahu and Abbas' court and they must choose. (Ha'aretz)
Chemi Shalev [46] says that Netanyahu is having more trouble with the concept of the 1967 borders then Sharon did. (Ha'aretz)
Mitch Ginsburg [47] says Jordan Valley settlers live under the constant specter of possible evacuation. (Times of Israel)
Mick Davis [48] says rejecting two states endangers both Israel and the Jewish diaspora. (Ha'aretz)
Jackson Diehl [49] says Kerry may make progress on a framework agreement, as long as details are avoided. (Washington Post)
Yoaz Hendel [50] says the release of Palestinian prisoners from occupied East Jerusalem shows Israel's quandary over the city. (YNet)
Peter Beinart [51] says 2014 may prove the year the Jewish-American leadership loses control over the Israel issue. (Ha'aretz)
Patrick Maisonnave [52] says EU still wants to remain close to Israel, if Israel cooperates. (Ha'aretz)
Matthew Gould [53] says flourishing ties between Britain and Israel are the best answer to boycotts. (YNet)
Matthew Bunn and Frederick McGoldrick [54] say the US should be flexible on Iran's civilian nuclear program. (Los Angeles Times)
Eyad Abu Shakra [55] says 2014 will be a year of anxiety throughout the Arab world. (Asharq Al Awsat)
Rami Khouri [56] identifies four markers to follow in the Middle East in 2014. (The Daily Star)
Osama Al Sharif [57] also provides an overview of 2013 and predictions for 2014. (Arab News)
The Daily Star [58] says Lebanon is facing its last chance to form a government and avoid total collapse. (The Daily Star)
Jean Aziz [59] says two recent bombing attacks in Lebanon might be linked. (Al Monitor)
Alan Phillips [60] says the rest of the region could learn much from Iraqi Kurdish pragmatism. (The National)
Marwan Asmar [61] says the Syrian regime is digging in for the long haul. (Gulf News)
Annia Ciezadlo [62] profiles Syrian dictator Al-Assad. (The New Republic)
Michael Weiss [63] describes how Pres. Obama's "Syria policy fell apart." (Politico)
H A Hellyer [64] says the revolutionary driving forces behind the 2011 Egyptian "revolution" need to find a new approach. (The National)
Caryle Murphy [65] says women in the Gulf states have nowhere to go but up. (Asharq Al Awsat)
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