Editor's Note: The following is reprinted with the permission of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Palestinian militants launched missile attacks on several Israeli cities, including Ashkelon, Be'er Sheva, and Kiryat Gat, just one day after the Israeli Air Force struck targets in Gaza in retaliation for a coordinated terrorist attack (Haaretz) that killed eight Israelis along the country's border with Egypt. The Palestinian rockets fell in open areas, and no injuries were reported.

Israeli authorities claim the perpetrators of Thursday's deadly attack were Gazans who entered the country from Egypt. Fears of escalation arose following a report from Egyptian security officials that Israeli forces had inadvertently killed two Egyptian police (NYT) and one soldier in the pursuit of the terrorists. Analysts worry that undercurrents of Egyptian animosity toward Israeli, while held at bay under former president Hosni Mubarak, would further inflame the situation.

The Israeli airstrike on Gaza targeted Hamas security assets and smuggling tunnels and reportedly killed five members of the Popular Resistance Committees (al-Jazeera), including the group's leader, and a sixth boy. Hamas denied any connection between the militant group or the people ofGaza and the attacks in the Sinai.

The Popular Resistance Committees is an umbrella militant group, including some disaffected members of Fatah and Hamas (Guardian). The group is one of three organizations claiming to have kidnapped the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been held captive for the past five years.

CFR's Elliott Abrams argues that after thirty months of Obama's Middle East policy, the popularity and prestige of theUnited States have declined, and negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians appear to be dead in the water.

The Economist examines the “burrowing business” between Gaza and Egypt, and the use of underground tunnels for transportation and smuggling pre- and post-Mubarak.

Joel Benin at the Middle East Research and Information Project writes that the Palestinian quest for UN membership is an expression of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's exasperation with the U.S.-sponsored “peace process.”

MIDDLE EAST

UN Advocate Calls for Syrian ICC Trial

The UN human rights leader pressed the Security Council to refer Syriato the International Criminal Court after a fact-finding commission reported evidence of crimes against humanity (al-Jazeera). The diplomatic push came just hours after President Barack Obama and EU leaders called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to leave power.

U.S.calls for Syria's Assad to step down can only be realized if combined with stronger measures to forge a diplomatic coalition and drive a wedge between Assad and his supporters, says CFR's Robert Danin.

PACIFIC RIM

Biden Reassures China over U.S. Economy

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden attempted to restore Beijing's confidence in the resiliency of the U.S.economy amid growing concerns of a global slowdown (AP). Both nations emphasized the importance of cooperation in reviving international growth.

Analysts say both the United States and China will have to restructure their economies to lessen global imbalances and strengthen recovery.

MYANMAR: Democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi (BBC) is set to visitMyanmar's new capital of Naypyidaw for the first time, following an invitation to a state economic forum. Reports also suggest she may meet President Thein Sein.

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SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA

Taliban Strike British Council

Taliban fighters launched an assault on a British Council building in west Kabul, killing at least eight on the anniversary of the country's independence from Britain. Afghan officials say at least one of the attackers remains at-large following the six-hour gun battle (Guardian).

INDIA: Indian anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare was released from a New Delhi prison following a short detention for violating state restrictions on his fasting campaign. Hazare called for a “second revolution” to protest government graft and corruption (FT), and is set to begin a fifteen-day fast in the city center.

AFRICA

Former Ivory Coast Leader Charged

Former Ivory Coastleader Laurent Gbagbo (AFP) and his wife have been charged with “economic crimes” and remain under state detention. The allegations include aggravated theft, attacks on the national economy, embezzlement of public funds, and pillaging.

SOMALIA: The UN's World Health Organization raised fears of a potential cholera epidemic (Xinhua) in famine-strickenSomalia, including in the capital ofMogadishu and other crowded urban areas. A spokesman said the disease is contained at the moment, with some 4,200 reported cases.

New efforts by the Obama administration to prioritize the prevention of atrocities can only make a difference if authorities are able to surmount challenges ranging from bureaucratic inertia to fickle public opinion, write Andrew Miller and Paul Stares.

AMERICAS

Dow Dives on Global Economic Fears

The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted nearly 420 points on Thursday on fears of a global economic slowdown (NYT) and festering debt crises in theUnited States andEurope. Investor flight toU.S. treasuries pushed yields to lows not seen since the 1960s.

United States: The Obama administration announced it will review the deportation status of some300,000 illegal immigrants (LAT) in an effort to identify “low-priority” offenders, such as elderly and crime victims, who may be allowed to stay in theUnited States.

EUROPE

Pope Encourages Return to Faith in Spain

On day two of a four-day visit to Spain, Pope Benedict XVI lamented the "certain eclipse of God taking place" in modern society, and encouraged Spanish citizens to embrace their Catholic roots (AP). Critics say the Pope views the country as a central part in his campaign to reviveEurope's Christian heritage.

BRUSSELS: The European Commission cautioned member countries on “excessive collateralization” in the wake of the bilateral deal struck between Finland and Greece. The deal raised concerns that similar guarantees with other partners in the European Financial Stability Facility may burden the implementation of a second bailout package for Greece (WSJ).

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