News:
The number of Palestinians killed [1] by Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank in 2013, 27 [2], is the highest in five years [3]. (Xinhua/Ma'an/AFP)
The State Department says Sec. Kerry will offer the parties the outlines of a final status [4]peace agreement. (AP)
The American proposal will reportedly cover all final status issues [5]. (Times of Israel)
PM Netanyahu tries to calm right-wing Israeli fears [6] about Kerry's planned proposal. (Ha'aretz)
An Israeli cabinet minister vows to establish a new settlement [7] in the context of Kerry's visit. (Times of Israel)
Suspected Jewish extremists [8] burn three Palestinian cars [9] and spray graffiti against Kerry [10]and threatening violence. (Xinhua/Ma'an/AP)
A human rights group warns Israel [11] will pay a price for settler violence. (Christian Science Monitor)
Israel releases 26 long-serving Palestinian prisoners [12], while vowing more settlement activity. (AP)
32 "pre-Oslo" Palestinian prisoners remain [13] jailed by Israel. (Ha'aretz)
Pres. Abbas says a final status agreement will require the release of all Palestinian prisoners [14]. (YNet)
Many are angry [15] with either the prisoner release or the new settlement announcements, or both. (New York Times)
Abbas says the Jordan Valley [16] will remain under Palestinian sovereignty [17], and vows to complete peace negotiations [18]. (Xinhua/Ma'an)
Settler leaders demand Israel annex [19] the Jordan Valley. (Jerusalem Post)
A new poll suggests some settlers want to leave [20] the Jordan Valley. (Jerusalem Post)
Netanyahu says Israel wants to greatly increase trade with China [21], especially selling them weapons [22]. (Xinhua)
Syrian activists say a missile has hit a bus near Aleppo [23], killing 10. (AP)
With winter setting in, aid groups struggle to reach Syrian refugees [24]. (New York Times)
Syria misses its first deadline [25] for relinquishing its chemical weapons [26] stockpiles. (Reuters/BBC)
The Syrian conflict is exacting a huge toll for Jordan [27]. (Xinhua)
At least 17 people are killed [28] in fighting in Iraq. (New York Times)
A suicide bombing in southern Yemen [29] kills two guards. (AP)
Bahrain is investigating claims by bombing case defendants [30] that they were tortured. (Reuters)
Egyptian security forces arrest the son [31] of the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood. (Reuters)
Egypt seizes the assets [32] of 500 Muslim Brotherhood leaders. (AP)
Egypt arrests four Al Jazeera journalists [33] accused of having illegal ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. (Washington Post)
The PKK urges Kurds not to get involved [34] in the feud between PM Erdoğan and influential cleric Gülen. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Commentary:
Aaron David Miller [35] sees signs Kerry is making significant progress in narrowing the Israeli-Palestinian gaps. (Foreign Policy)
Nahum Barnea [36] says Kerry's progress means Netanyahu now faces crucial decisions on peace. (YNet)
The Jerusalem Post [37] says that a proposed Israeli lawl annexing the Jordan Valley "does more harm than good." (Jerusalem Post)
Linda Gradstein [38] says Israelis are deeply divided over the Jordan Valley issue. (The Media Line)
Sefi Rachlevsky [39] says, in some ways, Abbas is "the last Jew." (Ha'aretz)
Nathan Jeffay [40] explains how and why Israel's "social justice" movement has faded away. (The Forward)
Elhanan Miller [41] says Hamas is struggling to deal with Egypt's designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. (Times of Israel)
Carolyn Karcher [42] explains why she voted in favor of an academic boycott of Israel by ASA. (Los Angeles Times)
Eric Yoffie [43] says campus Hillel groups shouldn't offer a platform to "enemies of Israel." (Ha'aretz)
Diana Moukalled [44] says more attention needs to be paid to the Syrian tragedy in 2014. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Roula Khalaf [45] says the West’s botched Syria policy has only helped Pres. Assad. (Gulf News)
Hussein Ibish [46] says a dangerous new precedent in international relations is being set in Syria. (NOW)
Josh Rogin [47] says an attempted US outreach to the Islamic Front in Syria was bungled. (Daily Beast)
Sarah Birke [48] looks at how Al Qaeda has transformed the war in Syria. (New York Review of Books)
Catherine Traywick [49] explains why Syria is now the most dangerous place in the world to be a journalist. (Foreign Policy)
Pres. Rouhani [50] promises Iran will be guided by "moderation and common sense." (The Daily Star)
Jeffrey Goldberg [51] says 2013 was a very good year for Iran. (Bloomberg)
The National [52] says critics of Saudi aid to Lebanon are misguided. (The National)
The Daily Star [53] welcomes the Saudi aid package for the Lebanese military. (The Daily Star)
Hugh Miles [54] looks at why Al Jazeera is being targeted by the Egyptian authorities. (BBC)
Asharq Al-Awsat interviews Egyptian presidential advisor Mostafa Hegazy [55]. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Rania El Gamal [56] says the political impasse in Bahrain threatens more instability in the country in 2014. (Reuters)
Rami Khouri [57] thinks a series of bad decisions by many players portends more Middle East violence for 2014. (The Daily Star)
John Yemma [58] says faith inspires Palestinian and other Middle Eastern Christians. (Christian Science Monitor)
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