Just waiting
A kind of détente holds in the occupied territories just now -- buttressed by American disengagement, Israeli restraint and Palestinian denial. Graham Usher reports from Jerusalem

Questions of sovereignty
The French proposal to grant sovereignty to Iraqis in months and not years has been well received by Iraqi politicians, but is it realistic? Omayma Abdel-Latif gauges responses

Cleaning up America's mess
Washington sought world support for its unilateral invasion of Iraq, but the world declined to give the US an easy ride, writes Gamal Nkrumah

The promise of change
Gamal Mubarak outlines strategies intended to make the NDP's platform "acceptable to all Egyptians", reports Dina Ezzat

Egypt:

NDP balancing past and future
The NDP's first annual conference begins tomorrow. Gamal Essam El-Din examines the thorny political and economic issues the ruling party plans to tackle

Sigh of relief for tourism sector
With the booming summer season drawing to a close, tourism experts are expecting an even better winter. Rehab Saad examines the prospects

Region:

Dateline Dubai
Surprises at the World Bank/IMF meeting in the UAE as Israel arrives but anti-globalisation protesters stay away, writes Mohamed Darwish from Dubai

Defiant reform
The new government of Mohamed Al-Otari indicates that when it comes to Syrian politics, the unexpected should be expected. Sami Moubayed writes from Damascus

There is a right of return
Shiko Behar replies to Ha'aretz

Economy:

Reigning in runaway
As inflation rears its ugly head, the government is struggling to appease angry consumers while continuing with liberalisation policies. Mona El-Fiqi reports

Loan in waiting
The World Bank is preparing for the long-anticipated one billion dollar loan to Egypt but still waiting for the government to be ready to receive it. Sherine Abdel-Razek reports

Living:

Secret displays
Youssef Rakha marvels at the city centre's visual contradictions