Killing cycles
An Israeli massacre followed by a Palestinian suicide bombing. Khaled Amayreh, in Hebron, reports the endless cycle of violence

Selling snakeoil
The Quartet-proposed Road Map will be stuck in its first stage for a while, writes Jonathan Cook in Jerusalem

Democracy within the tribe
Israel is a state for only some of its citizens, says a new report investigating violations of the political rights of the "Jewish State's" Palestinian citizens. Report co-author Jonathan Cook sums up its findings

Francophones defy US
French speaking nations made their voice heard on Arab soil. Sabine Darrous, in Beirut, reports on the ninth Francophone summit

Choppy reforms
Bahrainis will go to the polls today (Thursday) to choose a parliament for the first time in 28 years. However, the poll has already been overshadowed by a boycott call issued by four political groups..--read on--

Desperate times, desperate measures
As the United States steps up its diplomatic and military pressure against Iraq, President Saddam Hussein is reaching out to his people, writes Salah Hemeid

Troubled times for Turkey
Turkey repeated its total rejection of a federal solution in a post-Saddam Iraq. Gareth Jenkins reports from Ankara

Water worries
How is a lifeline to be shared in politically turbulent times, while catering to conflicting economic interests? Fatemah Farag considers the challenges discussed at the First Regional Conference on Perspectives of Arab Water Cooperation