Bush's dubious carrot
US President George Bush offers a "sweetener", if Arab countries conform to his vision for the region: A US-Middle East free trade area within a decade. Khaled Dawoud reports from Washington

Undermining Abu Mazen
Colin Powell's apparent failure to convince Israel to accept the US-backed roadmap peace plan may have vindicated Hamas's resistance. Khaled Amayreh reports from Nablus

What inspections?
The US-proposed Security Council resolution on Iraq maintains tight control of the country's political and economic affairs and opens the door for a long stay by the "coalition of the willing". Khaled Dawoud reports from Washington

Back to Machakos
More fighting erupts in western Sudan even as the Sudanese government and the country's largest armed opposition group head back to the negotiating table, writes Gamal Nkrumah

The road to Juba
The Arab League is intensifying its involvement in efforts towards Sudanese peace and unity. Dina Ezzat reports

Whither the League?
Arab countries seem supportive of the Arab League. But are they committed to reforming it, asks Dina Ezzat

Cheering crowds greeted Iran's President Mohammad Khatami in Beirut on Monday as he began a historic visit. --read caption--

Return of the Ayatollah
The homecoming of Ayatollah Muhammed Baqer Al-Hakim, the leader of Iraq's most prominent Shi'ite movement, brought into focus questions about the movement's future and its relationship with the occupying power. Omayma Abdel-Latif reports

Emboldened Shi'ites
The resurgence of a Shi'ite majority in Iraq has emboldened their brothers in Saudi Arabia, resulting in a historic petition presented to Crown Prince Abdullah on Shi'ite rights, reports John R Bradley from Jeddah

Never again
Karim El-Gawhary in Baghdad talks to Saddam Hussein's former physician, who later became the victim of the darker sides of his patient

New man in Iraq
Law, order and above all the making of a country are the main duties for the US's new presidential envoy to Iraq, Paul Bremer. Anayat Durrani tells the story of the man

Briefs
The United Nations said on Monday that restrictions on the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) during the closure of the Gaza Strip by the Israeli army violated international law...