http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/64/2(supp)

Presents the annual report of the Security Council to the General Assembly. Emphasizes efforts to resolve conflict situations in Africa, the Middle East and Southwest Asia. Also devotes attention to efforts to reduce terrorism. From the United Nations.

http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/64/490

Includes as an annex the controversial Report of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, the so-called Goldstone report. Reviews human rights violations to civilians that occurred during the Gaza Conflict in December 2008-January 2009. From the United Nations General Assembly and the Human Rights Council.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/FACT-SHEET-US-Missile-Defense-Policy-A-Phased-Adaptive-Approach-for-Missile-Defense-in-Europe/

Subtitled: A Phased Adaptive Approach for Missile Defense in Europe. Spells out the strategy behind the cancellation of plans for a land-based missile force in Eastern Europe in favor of a sea-based strategy to counter potential military threats from the Middle East. From the White House.

http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?pubID=941

Examines the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the 1991 Gulf War for insights that may be relevant for dangers during limited wars involving nations possessing biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons. From the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College.

http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RS22163_20090805.pdf

Assesses the current state of U.S.-European relations and such key issues as economic relations, climate change, relations with Russia and Iran, counterterrorism, and conflicts in Afghanistan and the Middle East. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.

http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/Ocha_opt_Gaza_impact_of_two_years_of_blockade_August_2009_english.pdf

This report documents the humanitarian impact of the blockade imposed by Israel since June 2007 on the 1.5 million people living in the Gaza Strip. From the United Nations.

http://www.usip.org/files/resources/Special%20Report%20225_Justice%20Interrupted.pdf

Ideas from a University of Virginia history professor about how to build connections between academic historians of the Middle East and policymakers. From the United States Institute of Peace.

http://www.arab-hdr.org/publications/other/ahdr/ahdr2009e.pdf

Calls on policymakers to move away from a state-centered conception of security to one which concentrates on the security of individuals. From the United Nations Development Programme.

http://www.usip.org/files/resources/golan_peacepark_1.pdf

Current discussions on a layout for a peace park fail to provide insights for how to keep mechanisms for controlling and maintaining the park going for 5 or 10 years into the future. This work presents options that can increase the acceptability of the park concept to both parties and provide measures to sustain the agreement in future years. From the United States Institute of Peace.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/R40664.pdf

Reviews the history of U.S. support for the Palestinians, how U.S. efforts are coordinated, deployment of U.S. trained Palestinians, and future challenges, obstacles, and limitations. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

http://www.usip.org/files/resources/Special%20Report%20224_Hamas.pdf

Examines Hamas from an Islamic point of view and asserts that the organization is ready to explore arrangements that will allow it and Israel to coexist without episodic violence. From the United States Institute of Peace.