The showdown
The protracted friction between Arafat and Abbas may be heading for an all out confrontation, reports Khaled Amayreh from Ramallah

The president's men
Between Dahlan and Rajoub, Palestinians are offered very little to choose from, writes Muna Hamzeh

Dubious in Dubai
Regional conflicts have undermined participation in the upcoming World Bank and IMF meeting. Mohamed Darwish reports from Dubai

Passionate rememberance
Hundreds of thousands of mourners converged on the holy city of Al-Najaf Tuesday to grieve Baqir Al-Hakim. Jihan Al-Alaily reports from Al-Najaf

Losing a guide
Obituary: Ayatollah Mohamed Baqir Al-Hakim (1939-2003)

Hard times ahead
The assassination of Ayatollah Mohamed Baqir Al-Hakim may deprive Iraq's Shi'ites of competent leadership and aggravate sectarian tension. Omayma Abdel-Latif looks into the fallout of the death of the Ayatollah

Uncivilising discourse
The realities of occupation in Iraq continue to defy President Bush's invariably optimistic statements, reports Khaled Dawoud from Washington

Eyes on Iraq's seat
Iraq's newly appointed foreign minister is trying to assume his country's seat in the Arab League. Dina Ezzat reports

The multiple of zero
Continuing US failure in Iraq is wreaking havoc in Turkey. Gareth Jenkins , in Ankara, writes