Buses and Bantustans at The Hague
The Palestinians are likely to win the legal debate over Israel's separation wall in the World Court next week. But Tel Aviv has more leverage outside the courtroom. Amira Howeidy wonders who will have the last laugh

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

Still stalled
The long awaited meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority Premier Ahmed Qurei has not yet materialised, despite renewed American pressure on both sides, writes Khaled Amayreh

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?

Talks about talks
On the eve of the resumption of Sudanese peace talks in Kenya, insurrectionists in the war-torn Darfur region of western Sudan officially join the ranks of the Sudanese opposition in Eritrea, writes Gamal Nkrumah

Libya spreads its wings
Europe has moved faster than the US in restoring commercial and diplomatic relations with Libya, and the Libyans are now pressing the Europeans to lobby on their behalf with Washington

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

To elect, or not to elect
The UN team investigating the possibility of holding early elections in Iraq concluded its mission. The team's findings will be reported to, and later announced by, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Nermeen Al-Mufti , in Baghdad, meets the team's spokesman, Ahmed Fawzi