Downplaying the immediate dangers, Moshe Maoz, a Hebrew University expert on Syria, described Tuesday's events as "mostly rhetoric, " saying neither Syria nor Israel has an interest in sparking a region-wide war.

NPR: Israel Warns Syria Against Attacks On Golan

But lately, politicians' focus on generating jobs and sparking growth in a region struggling to recover from recession is relegating green concerns to second place behind economics.

WSJ: Vote Leaves EU Emissions Trading in Tatters

But lately, as the region struggles to recover from recession, politicians have focused more on economics generating jobs and sparking growth relegating green concerns to second.

WSJ: Vote Leaves EU Emissions Trading in Tatters