Israel-Palestine Conflict News & Analysis

The Geopolitics of Israeli Settlements

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Israeli_settlements_near_Bethlehem.jpg / New houses being constructed at the Israeli settlement of Eldad, south of Bethlehem in the West Bank. Settlements are illegal under international law, yet despite condemnation from the international community, continue to expand on Palestinian land. There are over half a million Israeli settlers now living in the Palestinian West Bank. If passed, the Occupied Territories Bill would make it illegal in Ireland to trade in goods produced from these settlements. To support the Occupied Territories Bill and Trócaire’s call to end Irish trade with illegal settlements, visit: www.trocaire.org/getinvolved/occupied-territories Photo : Garry Walsh/Trócaire. / cc Trocaire, modified,

Examining the political economy and geopolitical consequences of Israeli settlement policies in Gaza and the West Bank.

The Mirage of Palestinian Recognition: Optics Over Outcome

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If Palestinian aspirations of statehood are to become reality, they must be rooted in the hard work of institution-building, not rhetorical shortcuts.

Western Allies Break Rank with Washington On Palestine

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We're watching the end of the post-Cold War order in the Middle East. No more US monopoly. No more automatic Western unity. Countries make their own calls based on their own interests.

The Long Road to Saudi-Israeli Normalization

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Geopolitics and shared interests have driven the Kingdom and Israel together, such that at one point normalization appeared inevitable. October 2023 changed all that - but perhaps not for long.

Sinwar’s Death and the Escalating Gaza Conflict

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While Israel celebrated Yahya Sinwar’s death as a form of justice, the removal of the Hamas leader did little to resolve the wider dynamics fueling the Gaza conflict.

Beijing Agreement Complicates “Day After” Planning in Gaza War

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The Beijing Agreement represents a credible competing vision for what post-war Gaza will look like, backed by the diplomatic weight of China and Russia. But all best-laid plans are moot in the face of a new escalation in Lebanon.

Biden Ambiguous as Israel and Hezbollah Hurtle toward Escalation

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Escalating turmoil on Israel’s northern border underscores an urgent need for leaders who can transcend entrenched positions and envision a future free from perpetual conflict.

Israel’s Escalation with Hezbollah: Possible Scenarios

Hezbollah fighters in a ceremony; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hezzzzbollah.jpgcc khamenei.ir, modified

Exploring the destructive regional potential of a Hezbollah-Israel conflict, and what has kept such a conflict from breaking out so far.

Rafah Offensive Dims Short-term Peace Prospects in Middle East

Border of Gaza, Israel, and Egypt as seen from space. NASA/Chris Hadfield https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=rafah%20satellite&ns0=1&ns6=1&ns12=1&ns14=1&ns100=1&ns106=1#/media/File:Border_between_Israel_and_Egypt_visible_from_space.jpg

An impending Israeli offensive in Rafah is creating new frictions with Israel’s long-term allies, notably Egypt, and imperiling any possibility of normalization with the Arab world.

Red Sea Shipping Crisis: What’s at Stake?

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Examining the economic costs and geopolitical stakes surrounding Houthi attacks against global shipping in the Red Sea.

Iran: The Real Beneficiary of The Gaza Conflict

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The Gaza conflict has advanced several of Iran’s regional goals. Reversing the trend will require coordination from Washington and its Arab allies.

2023 Gaza Conflict: Future Prospects for a Fragile Ceasefire

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A four-day humanitarian pause has brought about a much-needed humanitarian reprieve and release of hostages, but don’t expect it to last beyond Monday.

The Islamic World’s Dilemma on Palestine

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The Islamic world’s dilemma over Palestine sheds light on the nuanced nature of international relations and the diverse forces shaping geopolitical realities.

Gaza First: How a Palestinian State Could Emerge from the Rubble

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Quixotic though it may seem at the moment, a Palestinian state remains a distinct possibility once Hamas is removed from the political equation.

The Islamic World Remains a House Divided on Palestine

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Try as they might to present a united front on the vital issue of Palestine, Islamic and Arab governments are still fundamentally divided on the matter of their core interests.

Lessons from The Fifth Arab-Israeli War

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Eight lessons from the Fifth Arab-Israeli War, all of which reflect the enduring importance of geopolitics as a primary driver of history.

With Israeli and Palestinian Hardliners Calling the Shots, Forget about Solutions

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Until cooler and more rational minds prevail, the situation will only get worse in and around Israel.

US Diplomatic Perseverance and the Survival of the Two-State Imperative

he Nobel Peace Prize laureates for 1994 in Oslo. From left to right: PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, cc Government Press Office, modified, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flickr_-_Government_Press_Office_(GPO)_-_THE_NOBEL_PEACE_PRIZE_LAUREATES_FOR_1994_IN_OSLO..jpg

Washington still holds all the cards for finding a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Timeline: 2021 Gaza Conflict and Inter-Communal Violence in Israel

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Recounting the events leading up to the 2021 Gaza conflict, events that produced some of the worst sectarian violence in Israel’s history.

Outlook 2021: US-Israel Relations

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What will the new Biden administration mean for US-Israel relations?

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