Despite opposition attacks the People's Assembly will today pass a law regulating Egypt's first ever presidential elections, reports Gamal Essam El-Din

Israel and the Palestinian occupied territories are witnessing a time of hot diplomacy -- borne of the cold realities of the disengagement plan, writes Graham Usher in Jerusalem

Iran is embroiled in presidential campaigning and constitutional debate, writes Mustafa El-Labbad from Tehran

Even as Saddam's trial commences, Iraq's Sunni community does not believe it is time to bury the hatchet, reports Nermeen Al-Mufti from Baghdad

Hopes for democratic reform in Syria may have been put on hold, but they are not dead, writes Sami Moubayed from Damascus, as he also profiles the great survivor of Syrian politics Abdel-Halim Khaddam who finally stepped down this week

Egyptian expatriates will most likely not have a say in the country's first multi-candidate presidential elections. Mohamed El-Sayed gauges reactions and finds out why

Dina Ezzat and Amany Abdel-Moneim look into the increasing gap between the agendas of governmental and non-governmental women's rights groups

Trade union activists have lent their voices to growing demands for democratic reform, reports Faiza Rady

Enter Michel Aoun. Omayma Abdel-Latif reports from the Lebanese capital on the implications for Lebanese politics

The battle for creating a new Sudan is tight and peace talks are a travesty of democracy, writes Gamal Nkrumah

The sectarian forces drafting the new Iraqi constitution do not reflect grassroots sentiment, writes Hana Al-Bayaty

Amidst a hearty welcome from society, experts remain sceptical about the new tax law. Sherine Nasr reports

Leaders of developing countries converge on Doha to discuss economic development, writes Gamal Nkrumah

Even as Saddam's trial commences, Iraq's Sunni community does not believe it is time to bury the hatchet, reports Nermeen Al-Mufti from Baghdad