Commentary and Analysis

"Conflicts involving nonstate actors are a key reason that the world is presently witnessing a level of conflict not seen in 80 years," Paul Poast writes.

The U.S. has official relationships with nearly every country in the Middle East. Israel, a close U.S. ally, has official ties with only five.

On Dec. 29, South Africa brought genocide charges against Israel in the International Court of Justice. Israel said it will defend itself from the charges at hearings on Jan. 11 and 12 in The Hague.

The US has used its UN veto power to stop an Israel-Hamas war ceasefire resolution and other measures. Here's how it got veto power and how America has used it.

"In many respects, both Ukraine and Israel are offering quintessential examples of a combatant winning the battle, but losing the war," Paul Poast writes.

"We should never forget that ultimately people are the ones who suffer in war, and they are now being helped at least a little bit," Ivo Daalder tells Kate Bolduan.

When it comes to sustained US support for Kyiv, "gloomy is probably the right word to describe what's happening," says Ivo Daalder.

The past two years have seen the most conflicts of any time since the end of the Second World War, Paul Poast writes.

The time has come for Washington to use its military support to help put Israel on a better path to peace, Elizabeth Shackelford argues.

"The war is more a reflection of change in the international system, such as rising multipolarity, rather than a cause of change," Paul Poast argues.