Larry Derfner

Gaza Cease-Fire Talks in Cairo Floundering

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 27, 2009

A new flare-up after an Israeli soldier was killed in an explosion threatens the fragile cease-fire more >>

Israel Girds for Visit by President Obama's New Envoy, George Mitchell

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 26, 2009

Former senator George Mitchell is heading to the Middle East to discuss the aftermath of the Gaza war more >>

Arabs Turn Skeptical About Obama in Wake of Gaza War

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 23, 2009

Obama's silence on Israel's invasion before becoming president has made some Arabs suspicious of him. more >>

One of Gaza War's Big Winners: Al Jazeera

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 22, 2009

The Al Jazeera satellite TV network made its name just as CNN did during the 1991 Gulf War more >>

Israelis Hustle to Leave Gaza in Time for Obama

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 20, 2009

The cease-fire has been holding, but Hamas warns it could fall apart next week. more >>

Venezuela's Chávez: the New Hero in the Arab World

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 16, 2009

Portraits of Chávez are being displayed around the Middle East after he blasted the "holocaust" in Gaza. more >>

Bin Laden Allegedly Calls for Jihad Over Gaza

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 15, 2009

As bin Laden castigates Arab leaders for failing to defend Palestinians, Iran says Hamas is winning. more >>

The Obama Factor in Israel's Gaza War

By Larry Derfner - Nation & World - January 14, 2009

Eyeing next week's inauguration, Israeli officials consider whether to declare victory and withdraw. more >>

Israel Sends Reserves Into Gaza Amid Escalation Fears

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 13, 2009

Israel's leaders are divided, but some in the military favor an incursion into the dense urban centers. more >>

Hamas Rejects Cease-Fire With Israel in Gaza

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 12, 2009

The Palestinian militant group turned down a truce proposal amid relentless Israeli fire. more >>

Bush, Obama, U.S. Media Assailed Over Reaction to Gaza War

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 9, 2009

The Arab press depicts Israel's attacks on Gaza as Bush's last hurrah. more >>

Lebanese Officials Deny Responsibility for Rockets Hitting Israel

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 8, 2009

As the war in Gaza drags on, Lebanon says it knew nothing about a rocket barrage into Israel. more >>

Jordan Threatens to Reconsider Ties With Israel

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 6, 2009

Turkey, too, pulls back in the wake of Israel's Gaza offensive against Hamas. more >>

As Israel Presses Forward in Gaza, Some Israelis Support a Cease-Fire

By Larry Derfner - Mideast Watch - January 5, 2009

Israeli government is determined to cripple Hamas and to stop its rocket attacks. more >>

Israel Ponders Ground Invasion of Gaza After Days of Airstrikes on Hamas Targets

By Larry Derfner - Nation & World - January 2, 2009

Spurning calls for a cease-fire, Israeli troops appear poised to invade despite very serious risks. more >>

Why the Gaza War Between Israel and Hamas Broke Out Now

By Larry Derfner - Nation & World - December 30, 2008

Two key factors: A six-month cease-fire ended and Israel faces a pivotal election in February. more >>

Why Bitter Foes Israel and Hamas May Agree to Continue Their Fragile Truce

By Larry Derfner - Nation & World - December 16, 2008

If they don't, incoming President Obama could face an immediate Mideast crisis. more >>

In the Mideast, Obama Faces an Israeli-Palestinian Standoff That Threatens to Explode

By Larry Derfner - Nation & World - November 20, 2008

A Bush legacy, Palestinian radicalism, and an Israeli right turn will burden any peacemaking effort. more >>

The Story Behind the Car-Bomb Murder of a Reputed Mob Chief in Israel

By Larry Derfner - Nation & World - November 19, 2008

It wasn't the first time that alleged top mobster Yaakov Alperon was targeted by his enemies. more >>

In Israel, Some Anxieties About Obama

By Larry Derfner - Nation & World - November 7, 2008

How will the United States Shift on Iran, Palestinians, Mideast Peace? more >>

Why Israel May Take a Sharp Right Turn

By Larry Derfner - Nation & World - October 27, 2008

Centrist Tzipi Livni faces tough challenge from right-wing Binyamin Netanyahu. more >>

Israel's Olmert Calls for Giving Up Arab East Jerusalem and Nearly All of West Bank

By Larry Derfner - Nation & World - October 2, 2008

But as a lame-duck prime minister, he's not in a position to act on his words. more >>

Israel's Tzipi Livni Has a Tough Climb to Become Prime Minister

By Larry Derfner - Nation & World - September 22, 2008

Will "Mrs. Clean" make the unpleasant political deals or risk losing national elections? more >>

In Israel, Kibbutz Life Makes a Surprising Comeback

By Larry Derfner - Nation & World - September 21, 2008

Aging socialist communities are revived by a jolt of capitalism. more >>

Israeli Party Picks a New Leader to Succeed Scandal-Plagued Olmert

By Larry Derfner - Nation & World - September 15, 2008

A contest between "Mrs. Clean" Livni and "Mr. Security" Mofaz. more >>