Israel

A statement from the head of Israeli military intelligence shows a shift in Israeli thinking on the subject of U.S. talks with Iran. [more]

Israel's upcoming elections are likely to produce a change in the government, but are not likely to knock the Israeli-Syrian peace talks off track. [more]

The United States has angered Damascus by mounting a sortie across the Iraqi-Syrian border, killing at least half a dozen Syrians in the process. The leader of Israel’s ruling party dropped efforts to form a government and called for an early general election. Iraq’s foreign minister canceled a booked visit to Australia, citing a crisis in the talks over US troops, and Pakistan surprised those who’d suggested it was soft on the Taliban by recapturing a key strategic town. This series of events have confused diplomats and policymakers. [more]

A raid by U.S. troops five miles inside Syrian territory is one of several incidents in the Middle East raising the level of uncertainty in the region. [more]

Major Arab powers are reaching out to select Hezbollah figures to exacerbate rifts in the Shiite movement, constrain Syria and undermine Iranian influence in the region. [more]