The time for comprehensive reform and Palestinian unity is now, writes Nayef Hawatmeh

Samir Ghattas looks at the rickety prospects of Israel's coalition government and Sharon's threat to hold early elections

Messy situations cannot be set right through shady deals, writes Mohamed Sid-Ahmed

John Kerry talks tough on terrorism and in support of Israel, but his desire to get the US honourably out of Iraq may lead to a wholesale re-evaluation of US Middle East policy, writes Hassan Nafaa

Islamist political groups must be assimilated into any democratising process if it is to be worthy of the name, writes Amr Elchoubaki