Strengthening Extremists ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Nicholas D. Kristof - (Opinion) June 19, 2008 - 2:35pm The yearlong siege of Gaza may soon end with the new cease-fire there, marking the eclipse of one more American-backed Israeli policy that backfired by strengthening extremists. » Read more

Analysis: Small Steps A Way To Broader Mideast Peace? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Cnn by Tricia Escobedo And Kevin Flower - June 19, 2008 - 2:33pm JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israel has been making small steps toward reconciling with its neighbors -- including this week's planned truce with Gaza's Hamas leaders -- raising questions about whether those steps could lead to a broader peace deal. Last month, Israel confirmed it had been indirectly negotiating a deal with Syria for more than a year. And on Wednesday it announced it hoped to hold similar peace talks with Lebanon. The Jewish state is under pressure from the United States to reach an agreement outlining a future Palestinian state by the end of the year. » Read more