War over deadlines
The struggle in Iraq is between those who see sovereignty and elections as the only way out and those who want a prolonged impasse, writes Graham Usher from Baghdad

Post-war, or pre-civil war?
Against a backdrop of election controversy and volatile ethnic tensions, the attack on security forces in Fallujah last Saturday shows Iraq is just not ready for all eventualities. Ramsey Al-Rikabi , in Baghdad, reports

Who governs how?
A draft law on the Iraqi transitional administration sparked political debate over the legitimacy of laws and security agreements ratified by the Interim Governing Council. Omayma Abdel-Latif reports

Iran's timid reformers
When push came to shove, Iranian reformers failed to stand their ground. Mustafa El-Labbad previews the elections

One issue solved
Dina Ezzat asks what will Arabs get out of their next summit?

Two roads to somewhere
In an unprecedented development, Greek and Turkish Cypriots have agreed to a peace procedure that cannot collapse or grind to a halt, reports Michael Jansen from Nicosia

Horsing around
When will the Arabs find their own voice, asks Tarek Atia

Reform and reformulating
Some of the details of America's new initiative for a more democratic Middle East emerged last week. Gamal Essam El-Din reports on the lukewarm reaction in official circles

Guilt by name only
A rally held at the American University in Cairo highlights the lack of due process for detained Palestinians, and one in particular. Reem Nafie reports

Egypt:

Web libel case compounds Labour woes
The frozen Labour Party's online mouthpiece is in trouble, signalling more bad news for the party's attempts to resolve its other troubles. Mona El-Nahhas reports

Fewer laws, more enterprise
World Bank Vice President Michael Klein spoke exclusively with Sherine Abdel-Razek about how the role of the private sector can be enhanced in a global economy

International:

Devil's advocate?
Close relations between Israel and India have sparked concern in some quarters of a shifting regional balance in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, much to the chagrin of Indian officials who insist that better relations with Israel are not being forged at the expense of Arab countries, writes Jaideep Mukerji

Big mouth, small mind
Canada's much prized multi-culturalism is challenged by the blunt remarks of a "politically incorrect" national icon, writes Aziza Sami from Montreal

Culture:

A kinetic spree
Nehad Selaiha is caught in a 10-day modern dance whirl