Scott R. Anderson and Christopher C. Fonzone

Washington weighs the desire to avoid a protracted war with offsetting the appearance of defeat, as Tehran debates whether to consolidate gains before conditions shift or press perceived advantages

Islamabad is humming with behind-the-scenes diplomacy to turn this tentative pause into lasting peace.

The fragile truce faces significant obstacles.

Instead of the "no endless wars" they were promised, Americans were thrown into a disastrous war and were feeling the economic pinch at the gas pump

Israel's parliament approved a draconian death penalty law last week that only applies to Palestinian prisoners, in a move that the UN says "would constitute a war crime"