Waiting on America
Israel's decision to remove Yasser Arafat was almost unanimously condemned. But few Palestinians believe the danger has passed, writes Graham Usher from Ramallah

Arafat's comeback
Israel's decision to "remove" Yasser Arafat enrages the Palestinians in ways unseen since the start of the Intifada. Khaled Amayreh reports from Ramallah

Ways out
With its Iraq policy in tatters Washington is seeking an exit, reports Salah Hemeid

Pressuring Tehran
Iran's failure to comply with the UN deadline may pave the way to imposing international sanctions, argues Mustafa El-Labbad

Cantankerous in Cancun
The staying power of the old exploitative colonialist mentality rendered fresh ideas at the WTO meeting in Mexico irrelevant, writes Gamal Nkrumah

Blaine and Blair
Tony Blair has spent the last few weeks in excruciatingly public view, looking ever more boxed in, reports Alistair Alexander from London

Garnering world support
While important, a European role is not enough to ensure peace in the region. Egypt will also seek the good offices of the US, writes Nevine Khalil

Rules of engagement
Omayma Abdel-Latif tries to decipher the message behind the latest government clampdown on the banned Muslim Brotherhood

Egypt:

Citizenship dialogue
The ruling party has chosen "Rights of Citizens First" as the slogan for its first annual conference. Gamal Essam El-Din reports

Hi is not enough
A new US magazine aiming to build bridges with young Arabs is slammed by critics and ignored by readers. Gihan Shahine sifts through the magazine for reasons

Economy:

Pound floating belly-up
Experts are blaming the government for the continuing devaluation of the Egyptian pound. Sherine Abdel-Razek reports

Prescribing politics
The World Bank is now telling Arab governments that only by cleaning up their politics will their economies escape the rut of stagnant growth. Mohamed Darwish reports from Dubai

Interview:

Building world- class bridges
The school year has begun and the American University in Cairo has a new president. In his first exclusive interview in Cairo, David Arnold talks to Fatemah Farag about what it means to take on the post of 10th AUC president in these especially turbulent times