Kerry’s Blunder in Seeking an Israel-Gaza Cease-Fire – David Ignatius
(dailyalert.org, July 29, 2014)

Secretary of State John Kerry made a significant mistake in how he’s pursuing a Gaza cease-fire – and it’s not surprising that he has upset both the Israelis and some moderate Palestinians. Kerry’s error has been to put so much emphasis on achieving a quick halt to the bloodshed that he has solidified the role of Hamas, along with the two hard-line Islamist nations that are its key supporters, Qatar and Turkey.

Any deal that reinforces Hamas’ stranglehold – rather than building a path toward change of government and disarmament – is misconceived. In the name of stopping bloodshed, it all but guarantees it in the future. (Washington Post)