Re-defiling reality
Israel's repeated closures in Gaza are justified as temporary expedients to thwart Palestinian "terrorism." They are nevertheless creating a new and permanent reality, as Graham Usher discovered in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip

Sweet tooth for slaughter
Following a brief respite, tension and bloodshed engulfed much of the West Bank and Gaza Strip this week. Khaled Amayreh, in Hebron, reports

To the bitter end
Palestinian activists across the political spectrum believe the Intifada should continue as an alternative to the tottering peace negotiations. Sherine Bahaa interviews three leading Palestinian figures

Playing the waiting game
As the world marks the 10th anniversary of the Gulf War, an end to the Iraqi deadlock seems elusive and probably as distant as ever, writes Salah Hemeid

Reasonable doubt
As the defence winds up its arguments this week in the Lockerbie trial, tension is mounting among families of both the victims and the suspects, reports Judit Neurink from Camp Zeist

Digging in
The jailing of eight more Iranian reformists will have a significant impact on campaigning for the June presidential elections. Azadeh Moaveni assesses whether the reformists or the hard-liners stand to benefit most

Hostile games
USS Cole trial postponed
Democracy call
Missing journalists
Turkey's record scrutinised
Fighting in southern Sudan