Controversy over constitutional amendments proposed by President Mubarak, reports Gamal Essam El-Din, has centred on civil liberties being under threat

Though only one portfolio remains to be filled, the soon-to-be-announced Palestinian national unity government faces unprecedented challenges, writes Khaled Amayreh in the West Bank

Mauritania's presidential elections, while inconclusive yet, show that the country is moving positively towards political democracy, writes James Martin in Nouakchott

Hakim's dominance seems threatened as the US military admits that force alone will not secure Iraq, writes Nermeen Al-Mufti

Last weekend's Baghdad conference was meant to break the ice, if nothing else, writes Salah Hemeid

There is no real new warmth in Egyptian-Syrian relations, writes Dina Ezzat. It's simply a situation of mutual accommodation

A US report on Egypt's allegedly-bleak human rights record ignites the government's anger. Gihan Shahine ponders the implications

David Dumke analyses Egypt-US relations through the prism of the US Congress

The furore continues over accusations that Israel eliminated unarmed Egyptian soldiers. Dina Ezzat reports

Arabs say they will not amend the Beirut peace initiative, but Dina Ezzat asks whether they can update it

Opposition and government forces inch closer towards a deal, but how lasting can a settlement really be, asks Serene Assir in Beirut

The gradual Egyptianisation of USAID is becoming apparent. Pierre Loza toured some projects

US President Bush's Latin American tour sheds light on the prickly relationship between Washington and what was once considered its own backyard, writes David Dumke

Underestimating Chavez is a perilous pursuit as far as the Bush administration is concerned, writes Gamal Nkrumah

Pakistan has suffered from the fall-out from Afghanistan but this would be nothing compared to a US war on Iran, writes Graham Usher in Islamabad

As the country celebrates the centenary of the first film made in Egypt, Mohamed El-Assyouti reviews one hundred years of silver

In commemoration of Egyptian Women's Day tomorrow, female festivities are in order but what, asks Dena Rashed, do young women have to celebrate?

The Egyptian Olympic football team has qualified for the All-Africa Games in Algeria in July, writes Ahmed Morsy