Private planes, power and privilege No need for a minister to go shopping for groceries, writes Edward Said; but what about those standing at the back?

Approaching the end of the line With Netanyahu's resounding fall, and Barak's success in forming something like a national unity government, the Arab-Israeli conflict has entered a new phase, writes Hassan Nafaa. Its outcome will cast a shadow over the region for years to come

Defining terrorism As a prerequisite for effectively combating terrorism, Mohamed Sid-Ahmed investigates the roots and significance of the phenomenon A suspicious past, an irrelevant future Wahid Abdel-Meguid seeks the stereotypical businessman, and finds an unsavoury truth Close up By Salama Ahmed Salama Airing grievances Coming home after any absence is a joy like no other. A tourist or a businessman may feel the same elation, but only if the first impression and the first interaction with the country of arrival or destination dissipates the sense of alienation --read on--

Naguib Mahfouz From afar Although I never knew him personally, Abbas El-Aqqad had a profound impact on my life. --read on--

Soapbox
No excuses
Ahmed Abdel-Halim

This week: Khamenei