Politics of evasion
Israel's actions in the occupied territories confirm that Ariel Sharon believes the era of Yasser Arafat is over. The Palestinian leader has two ways to prove him wrong -- and neither is appealing. Graham Usher reports from Jerusalem

The tribal factor
While Northern Alliance forces claimed territorial gains, thousands of militants in Pakistan prepare to join the Taliban, writes Absar Alam from Islamabad

Opinion

INTIFADA IN FOCUS

War

Shifting fortunes
As the fortunes of the US war against terrorism decline, those of the "war party" in the administration seem to rise. Mohamed Hakki writes from Washington

Come hail, storm or Ramadan
The US military campaign against Afghanistan appears set to escalate in coming weeks, undeterred by winter or Ramadan, Thomas Gorguissian reports from Washington

Caught in a cruel crossfire
Pakistan's Christians, among the most impoverished and persecuted sections of the population, were the latest victims to the can of worms which the war against Afghanistan has opened across its borders. Iffat Malek writes from Islamabad

Tough test of loyalties
The British anti-war effort is gaining momentum even at the heart of the political establishment, writes Gamal Nkrumah from London

War by other means
Galal Nassar on the difficulties faced by war reporters covering the US operation in Afghanistan

My enemy's enemy
In the days before 11 September, the Northern Alliance was a frail coalition of tired-out warlords. But a shift in US perspective has refashioned these misremembered mujahedin as a formidable guerrilla force, writes Nyier Abdou

A silent genocide
Ignored by the media and dismissed by American and British politicians, millions of impoverished Afghans are being casually starved to death. Faiza Rady investigates

Egypt

In search of the civil
'Civil society in the future' was the theme of a two day-conference held this week. It was unclear whose future was being debated, writes Mariz Tadros

Al-Kosheh dossier reopened
Tensions were high at the opening of the retrial of 96 men suspected of involvement in sectarian clashes in Al-Kosheh, reports Khaled Dawoud

Economy

Gold rush
Egypt, it seems, has a lot of gold. But there is already controversy about how best to turn it into wealth. Jasper Thornton writes

Managing credit risk
William Mikhail discusses proposed amendments to the Basle Accord on credit risk and capital adequacy in the banking sector

Facing the music
The government is announcing economic measures to counter the effects of the global downturn. Gamal Essam El-Din reports

Region

In the hot seat
Stripping outspoken Knesset member Azmi Bishara of parliamentary immunity clearly reflects Israel's idea of democracy when it comes to the Palestinian minority, writes Jonathan Cook

Globalising opposition
The newly-founded Arab Forum for Resisting Globalisation held its first conference in Beirut last weekend. The coming WTO meeting in Doha was a constant theme. Zeina Abu Rizk reports from Beirut

Pushed together
Osama Bin Laden has said the US-led war is "primarily between Christianity and Islam." But in the occupied territories, there is only the war by Israel against Palestinians -- Muslims and Christians alike. Graham Usher listens to two women talk in Beit Jala

Education as a tool of war
Israel's "Margaret Thatcher" is forcing more than 370,000 Palestinian students to learn Zionist values and salute the Israeli flag. Jonathan Cook writes from Nazareth

Features

Living

History's trail
The Egyptian branch of "Museums without Frontiers" is to be launched soon. Nevine El-Aref and photographer Sherif Sonbol review what's on offer

The sweet and the savoury
As Ramadan approaches, Fayza Hassan revisits the elaborate gastronomic traditions of the Middle East

Travel

Sports