فرایند صلح

The latest fighting exposed the group's military improvements and weaknesses alike, and Hamas members will study the lessons learned in preparation for future confrontations with Israel.

This Friday's speech can set the stage for future peace efforts, but only if it keeps the door open for diplomacy and avoids trying to delegitimize Israel or threatening it with legal action.

Calculating the actual costs of reconstruction is important, but the most crucial question is whether the PA is truly ready to supplant Hamas and assume effective control over Gaza.

Conversations with senior officials in Egypt, Jordan, and Israel highlight the complexities of -- and potential links between -- the region's latest crises.

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.