Quest for the unholy grail
Can the Palestinians kill the many-headed hydra with one hand tied behind their backs? Azmi Bishara attempts to unravel the meaning of Bush's recent speech

A new rapprochement?
Diaa Rashwan ponders the implications of the government's seeming acceptance of Al-Gama'a Al-Islamiya's renunciation of violence

How "balanced" was Bush's speech?
Mohamed Sid-Ahmed discusses the prospect of a Palestinian state based on the removal of Arafat

Honey, I shrunk the peace plan!
Despite its positive reception by some Arab leaders, President Bush's recent speech on setting up a "provisional" Palestinian state is a glass half full, writes Mohamed Hakki

The will to resist
Bush and Sharon may want to create a 'provisional state', writes Medhat El-Zahed, but all they are doing is fuelling permanent Palestinian resistance

Where do we start?
With the US and Israel cynically calling for reform of the PA, only the PLO can lead the movement for genuine, democratic reform, writes Mohamed Khaled Al-Azaar

Editorial:
Why this cul-de-sac?

Close up
A revolution's course
By Salama A Salama

Soapbox
World Cup politics
By El-Sayed Eleiwa

Monuments of life
By Naguib Mahfouz

This week: RONALDO