Defining reforms
In response to external and internal pressure, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has begun the process of restructuring the extremely weakened PA

War costs
The almost two-year-long Intifada and the recent Israeli operation in the occupied territories has hit hard nearly all sectors of the Israeli economy, writes John Sfakianakis

'Where is Jamal's body?'
After committing horrific war crimes at Jenin refugee camp, Israel is now obstructing help from reaching its residents. Jonathan Cook visited the camp all too soon forgotten by the world

Humanitarianism under attack
What began as a humanitarian mission to Palestine for an Arab-American physician from southern California, ended with his incarceration in an Israeli prison. Anayat Durrani reports

The tip of the iceberg?
A Palestinian deportee tells Michael Jansen, in Nicosia, that his expulsion from his homeland is an indication of Sharon's ethnic cleansing plans

Double trouble
Two political assassinations revived the bitter memories of Lebanon's civil war and raised serious security concerns, Zeina Abu Rizk writes from Beirut

Berbers boycott polls
Algerians are set to elect a new parliament today. Polling has gone ahead despite calls for a boycott by the country's sizable Berber minority. Rasha Saad reports

Critical engagement
One country in the Levant stands out for its strategic and economic importance. Iason Athanasiadis on why Syria is ratcheting up the tension between the EU and the US

Shattered lives
A report on living conditions of Palestinians during Israel's reoccupation of the West Bank has highlighted Operation Defensive Shield's real aims. Following are extracts from the report prepared by Rita Giacaman and Abdullatif Husseini for the Institute of Community and Public Health, Bir Zeit University

Briefs