Commentary and Analysis

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.

Deborah Amos, Jamil Anderlini, and Peter Spiegel join Ivo Daalder to discuss the week's top news stories.

Ryan Heath and Giles Whittell join Ivo Daalder to discuss the week's top news stories.

Yasmeen Abutaleb, Nirmal Ghosh, and Prashant Rao join Ivo Daalder to discuss the week's top news stories.

As the humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to climb and fears of a wider war grow, Americans are wary of direct military involvement in the conflict.

"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.

Susan Glasser, Stefan Kornelius, and Giles Whittell join Ivo Daalder to discuss the week's top news stories.