Sharon, the King of Israel
In the end, Ariel Sharon formed his "grand coalition" with barely a hitch. The real fight, though, will start now, writes Graham Usher from Jerusalem 8 - 14 March 2001

Unity at all costs 22 - 28 February 2001
There will be a new government in Israel -- and an old Middle East. Graham Usher writes from Jerusalem

Fussing over a red herring 22 - 28 February 2001
Sharon's election is a diversion from the real problem, writes Ghada Karmi

Tipping the balance? 22 - 28 February 2001
Lebanese backing of last week's Hizbullah attack against Israeli soldiers sent a clear message to newly-elected Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, writes Zeina Abu Rizk in a report from Beirut

Unprepared for the worst 15 - 21 February 2001
The Palestinian leadership says it is ready to deal with an Israel led by Ariel Sharon. It is not. Graham Usher reports from Gaza

'The past before us' 15 - 21 February 2001
Ariel Sharon has yet to take up the reins of state. But, courtesy of Ehud Barak, his presence is certainly being felt, writes Graham Usher from Jerusalem

Anxiety over Sharon signs 15 - 21 February 2001
Sharon as Israeli premier could spell serious trouble for Jordan. Lola Keilani, in Amman, detects deep misgivings behind the outward calm

Lebanese jitters 15 - 21 February 2001
Lebanon reacted to Sharon's elections by calling for internal unity while preparing for the worst, Zeina Abu Rizk reports from Beirut

Israel says 'No, No, No' 8 - 14 February 2001
In electing Ariel Sharon Israel has said 'no' to Barak, 'no' to a comprehensive peace with the Arab world and 'no' to the Palestinians, writes Graham Usher from Jerusalem

The message is murder 8 - 14 February 2001
The landslide victory achieved by right-wing Likud leader Ariel Sharon in Tuesday's elections sent a clear signal to the Arabs: Israelis do not seem ready for peace --read on--

A bridge too far 8 - 14 February 2001
Ilan Pappe, a leading Israeli historian and activist, spoke to Graham Usher in Haifa about the failure of the "left" to go the extra mile towards peace by refusing to recognise the right of return for millions of Palestinian refugees

The immoral majority 8 - 14 February 2001
Where is the peace camp when you need it? Why, opposing the Palestinian right of return and suggesting ethnic cleansing policies, writes Johnathan Cook

'Israel's last bullet' 8 - 14 February 2001
Palestinians have reacted to the election of Likud leader Ariel Sharon as Israel's new prime minister with a combination of apprehension and defiance. Khaled Amayreh reports from Hebron

The bulldozer baron 8 - 14 February 2001
Ariel Sharon, writes Michael Jansen, is and always has been, in the words of Shakespeare, a "bold bad man"

Hypothetical solutions 1 - 7 February 2001
Regardless of the outcome of the Taba negotiations, according to both parties' evaluation of the proceedings, they are the closest approximation to a solution reached so far --read on--

Greater of two evils 1 - 7 February 2001
The Palestinian Authority, and the Arab governments in general, find themselves between a rock and a hard place if asked whether they hope Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak or right-wing Likud leader Ariel Sharon will win next week's elections. --read on--

Daylight at night -- remembering Sharon 1 - 7 February 2001
As Ariel Sharon stands poised to be the new Israeli prime minister, Graham Usher -- in Shatila and Jerusalem -- looks at how Israeli politicians and Palestinian refugees at once forget and remember his past