It is perhaps now an opportune moment for the international community to lift the aid embargo it imposed on the Palestinian Authority after Hamas came to power in elections last year. Such a move could boost the delicate behind-the-scenes negotiations occurring both through surrogates such as the Arab League -- with its proposal in which Hamas would recognizing Israel in exchange for the return of Palestinian refugees -- and tentative “unofficial” direct Palestinian-Israeli communications.

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Competing nations are exploiting increasing anti-American sentiment in Africa to muscle out U.S. companies for lucrative business deals, especially in energy and minerals. Unless U.S. policies change, it appears that negative sentiment in Africa will result in more loss of business and political clout.

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