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Reports that Tamil Tiger guerrillas in Sri Lanka rejected a government outline for peace talks without even viewing it, ending hopes that peace talks might begin again soon.

Reports that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has acknowledged that Israel is not following the moribund Middle East peace plan and has said an Israeli pullout from the Gaza Strip is unlikely to revive it.

Reports that the internationally brokered peace talks between Sudan's government and rebels from the country's western Darfur region have collapsed in Nigeria after three weeks with little progress and no deal.

The article discusses the Unites States government's policy towards initiating the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, in particular, the adoption of a shuttle diplomacy policy adopted by the George W. Bush administration, and how it compares with the approach taking by the administration of former president Bill Clinton. Secretary of State Condolezza Rice has recently pushed Israel towards peace negotiations in diplomatic visits, a shift in the Bush administration's hands-off Israel policy.

The article reports that the Taliban has engaged in international mediation with leaders of the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. It notes that the Taliban has told the mass media to not be overly optimistic about such meetings. It mentions that the Northern Alliance has gained animosity from the Taliban for supporting the U.S. against the Islamist movement.

The article focuses on the continuous fight between Israel and the Hamas and the peace process. In November 2012 Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya promised to create an independent state on the entire Palestine land. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that talks are delayed because the opposing party is not willing to have peace.

The article focuses on the prison release of Anwarul Haq Mujahid, son of an Afghan mujahedeen leader and one of the Taliban prisoners, by Pakistan as part of peace negotiations with the militant group. It states that the prison release marked the willingness of Pakistan to consider concrete steps to revive efforts to encourage the Taliban to negotiate. It says that eight Taliban prisoners were released and the government agreed to release more.

The article offers the author's insights on the lose of hope for peace in Israel. The author reflects on the picture of the country when she moved in 1997 and the hope for peace despite incidence of suicide bombings. She mentions that Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been ignoring the peace process initiated by Arabs and that solely focus on the threat of Iran. She also condemns the failure of Israel's leaders to recognize peace as the best defense of the country.

The article reports on the nonmember observer state status sought by Palestinian Authority in the United Nation's (UN) General Assembly. It notes that approval from the 193-member Assembly to the application made by the Palestinians is expected in December 2012. It mentions that application for full UN membership has been submitted by the Palestinian Authority in 2011, but was withdrawn due to Israel and the U.S. opposition.

Somalia's interim government and some opposition figures signed a peace deal on Monday that called for the rapid deployment of a robust United Nations force. It was the latest in a series of such agreements. Opposition members in exile and insurgents in Somalia had dismissed the United Nations-led talks here in Djibouti, so it was unclear what effect it might have on the ground. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Reports that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel and President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority will declare at a summit meeting in Egypt their intention to suspend attacks after four years of conflict. Renewal of direct American involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; Intent of U.S. President George W. Bush to meet separately with both leaders; The growing momentum toward reviving a peace effort that was stalled until the death of Yasir Arafat, the Palestinian leader; Comments of Israeli and Palestinian officials; Observation that much will depend on the ability of Abbas to rein in the militant Palestinian factions and particularly Hamas; Israel's announcement of a pullback of its military forces from West Bank cities; Significance of these developments; Outlook.

Reports that the Sudan government envoys and rebel factions from the Darfur region have restarted their stalled peace conference in Nigeria.

Depicts the reality of Middle East peace. Illusions of peace as offered by U.S. President George W. Bush, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, which were shattered with another suicide bombing; Old defenses set up once again; Commitments to peace which are not kept by either side; Call from U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell which is interpreted differently by each group; Resolution appears an illusion.

Analyzes the agreement by the three main Palestinian factions to suspend attacks on Israelis. Outlook for the success of the American-led peace plan; Complex politics of Palestinian violence; Role of Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian prime minister, and his relationship with Hamas leaders; Motives of Hamas in cooperating with the governing Palestinian Authority; Background on Fatah and Palestinian violence; Concerns of Fatah officials.

Reports on four sets of peace negotiations taking place in Africa, raising hopes of breakthroughs in some of the continent's conflicts. Talks that are going on in Kenya, to end Sudan's civil war; Negotiations in Tanzania, over Burundi's civil strife; Positive signs for the Congo conflict; Plans for a meeting of factional leaders in Somalia; Outlook for lasting peace; Views of analysts; Role of African leaders in resolving the wars; Economic motive for peace; Complexities of the various wars.