Beyond stagnation
Dialogue is the key to a brighter future, argues Mona Makram-Ebeid, but only if honesty prevails

Bush's no war scenario
How credible is the assumption that preparing furiously for war is the best way to avoid it happening, asks Mohamed Sid-Ahmed

Confronting the conundrum
The events of 11 September highlighted the need for Arabs to examine the relationship between religion and the state. Abdel-Moneim Said wonders whether they will have the courage to do so

Hilltops of illegality
The settlers may have been pawns of Israel's secular politicians for decades. But, writes Azmi Bishara, no one is scoffing at their risible arguments anymore

A beacon of enlightenment
The revival of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina was a spectacular feat. And as Awatef Abdel-Rahman notes, the original is a tough -- but not impossible -- act to follow

Editorial:
Standing idly

Close up
A deafening silence
By Salama A Salama

Soapbox
To teach a mule
By Abdel-Qader Yassin

The baltagis
By Naguib Mahfouz

This week: Marwan Barghouti