A constitutional leadership crisis is looming over the Palestinian Authority as Jan. 9 – the date that PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' term officially ends – draws near.

The waning days of the U.S. presidency of George W. Bush is now best remembered for the "shoe-icide," as the headline in the New York Daily News had it when the Iraqi journalist, Muntazer al-Zaidi, threw his shoes at the visiting U.S. leader in Baghdad during his farewell visit which he had hoped to be his "victory lap."

It may be somewhat early to discuss a comprehensive solution for the future of the Palestinian state on the one hand and to predict the way the global war with terrorism will end on the other hand. But it is urgent to remember the intentions of the Iranian and Syrian regimes and their proxy, Hezbollah, when thinking in terms of saving the civilian populations of Gaza from war, shielding the Israeli populations from rockets and avoiding an escalation of violence that could engulf the entire region.

AMMAN -- On the 12th day of a relentless war on the Gaza Strip, Israel temporarily stopped the military attacks for three hours on Wednesday, announcing it would give the same lull every day to allow the passage of humanitarian aid, as international diplomatic efforts picked up pace to arrive at a permanent cease-fire following the Israeli bombardment of a U.N.-run school in a Gaza refugee camp.

GAZA CITY, Gaza -- A war neither Israel nor Hamas truly wanted turned into a war both are willing to wage. The six-month cease-fire that expired on Dec. 19 was far from ideal. Israel suffered through periodic rocket fire and the knowledge that its foe was amassing lethal firepower. Hamas endured a punishing economic blockade, undermining its hopes of ruling Gaza.

AMMAN -- The Israeli military assault on the Gaza Strip entered its 11th day on Tuesday in a war that may last longer than expected, bringing more death and destruction to the Palestinians. Yet the longer it takes for Israel to achieve its military and political objectives against Hamas and "changing the equation in this region," the higher the Israeli risks of losing a political battle that might change the equation, but against its favor.

AMMAN -- The Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip greeted the New Year under intensified Israeli air strikes, which continued for a seventh day Friday, as the Jewish state prepared for a ground invasion of the impoverished territory. Meanwhile, while regional and international diplomats have been powerless to halt the relentless offensive.

AMMAN -- As Israeli war jets continued to bomb the Gaza Strip for a fifth consecutive day Wednesday, Arab foreign ministers were meeting in Cairo to negotiate how to stop the Israeli attacks that have so far killed 390 Palestinians, injured over 1,800, and destroyed hundreds of buildings in the narrow strip.

The tumultuous Middle East will end 2008 with a bang – quite literally - and begin 2009 with another bang. Or rather several hundreds of them; and the prospect for the coming year is downright perilous, as the region seems to be heading toward outright disaster.

AMMAN -- The intensive Israeli military air attacks on the Gaza Strip, which entered their third day Monday and raised the Palestinian death toll to well over 300, has sparked continuous street protests across the Arab and Muslim worlds against Israel, seeking to pressure their governments and the international community to stop the Jewish state's assault on the besieged and impoverished strip.