عملية السلام

With Middle East players from North Africa through the Gulf focused on the twin challenges of radical Sunni jihadism and the fear of Iranian expansionism, the Israel-Hamas war was more a symptom than a trigger of regional developments. Still, repercussions from the fighting, the on-again/off-again ceasefires, and the political alignments

A group of weapons experts and former officials outlines practical steps for ensuring that Hamas and other militants do not rebuild their rocket forces, jeopardize reconstruction efforts, or spark another major conflict.

Initial estimates vary widely, but getting the numbers right is important -- not only for retrospective judgment, but also for future reference, particularly with regard to further minimizing civilian casualties.

Hamas should be shielding the people of Gaza from the worst of the fighting, not using them as human shields.

Hamas is incapable of changing, so Washington and its allies should work to discredit and disarm the group as one of several measures aimed at managing the conflict.

The international community should focus on systematically rolling back Hamas political and security control while opening Gaza to the outside world -- beginning with a reestablished PA foothold at the Rafah crossing.

Doha's involvement in ceasefire diplomacy reflects its ambition for a wider regional role that Washington should challenge.

A survey of the various rallies held in the Middle East and abroad since the latest Gaza conflict began.

Hamas forced the longstanding blockade through its continued rejectionism, and it is now trying to violently extort the international community, the PA, and Israel to give it what it wants without offering anything in return.