MIDEAST: Gaza Border In Political Limbo

One month after throngs of Palestinians flooded into Egypt's Sinai Peninsula from the Gaza Strip, the flashpoint Rafah border crossing remains tightly shut. But according to some opposition figures, the breach - viewed by many as a victory for Palestinian resistance faction Hamas - signalled the need for new border protocols consistent with shifting political realities.

RIGHTS-EGYPT: EU Criticism Finds Some Unofficial Welcome

The European Parliament adopted a resolution last month censuring Egypt's human rights record, and urging Cairo to embrace substantial political reforms. But while Egyptian officialdom responded angrily to the criticism, reactions among independent political figures have been more ambivalent.

EGYPT: Border Breach Raises Fundamental Questions

Authorities sealed the border with the Gaza Strip earlier this month after more than a half million Palestinians flooded into Egypt's Sinai Peninsula in late January. But while most have since returned home, the episode served to highlight Egypt's tenuous control over its border with the troubled territory next door.

EGYPT: In spite of U.S., Cairo Welcomes Iranian Overtures

In recent months, Washington has tried hard to convince Arab leaders of the threat to the Middle East posed by Iranian regional ambitions. Nevertheless, several recent visits to Egypt by top-level Iranian officials suggest that Cairo, despite U.S. objections, may be close to restoring diplomatic ties - severed for almost 30 years - with Tehran.

EGYPT: Opposition Turns Up Heat in Parliament

Ever since the hotly contested 2005 legislative elections, the opposition in Egypt's parliament has become increasingly assertive. This year, opposition and independent MPs have hurled a record number of interpellations - inquiries that must be answered by the government - at the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) of President Hosni Mubarak.

MIDEAST: Alarm Bells Sound Over “Jewish State”

Within recent months, several Israeli and U.S. officials have stressed Israel's unique character as a "Jewish state". But according to many Arab observers, the designation negates the right of Palestinian refugees to return to Israel, and leaves the door open to expulsion of Israel's Arab citizens.

MIDEAST: Egypt Welcomes Border Breach

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians flocked into the Sinai Peninsula last week after the border fence separating Egypt from the Gaza Strip was partially destroyed by a series of explosions. In a direct challenge to the Israeli-imposed siege of the territory, Cairo - citing humanitarian concerns - appears to have tolerated the influx.

EGYPT: Bush Visit Brings Rift with Washington

During his recent eight-day tour of the Middle East, U.S. President George W. Bush spent only three hours in Egypt, a key U.S. ally. According to some local commentators, Bush's short stopover did much to suggest that the longstanding "strategic relationship" between Washington and Cairo is showing signs of strain.

EGYPT: Helpless Before the Lebanon Crisis

With another bombing in Beirut this week, the political standoff in Lebanon appears far from resolution. Egypt's role in the crisis, meanwhile, remains limited to making broad appeals for national reconciliation in line with Arab League resolutions.

MIDEAST: U.S. Seen in Policy Retreat

Recent months have witnessed several notable political reorientations in the Middle East, involving Iran, the Gulf states, Egypt and Lebanon. Several experts say the changes reflect a shift in Washington's regional strategy following recent U.S. policy setbacks.

MIDEAST: Pilgrims’ Progress Breaks Gaza Siege

More than 2,000 pilgrims have finally returned to the Gaza Strip via Egypt's Rafah crossing after being stuck on the border for five days. The repatriation followed their staunch refusal to return home via alternate, Israeli-controlled border crossings.

MIDEAST: Border Politics Leaves Palestinians Stranded

Hundreds of Palestinians still remain stranded on the Egyptian side of the border following last summer's closure of the Rafah crossing between Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip.

EGYPT: U.S. Congress Conditions Aid on Border Containment

Last week, both houses of U.S. Congress agreed to withhold 100 million dollars in financial assistance to Egypt following Israeli claims that Egyptian authorities were failing to prevent weapons smuggling to the Gaza Strip. Cairo, for its part, denounced the decision, while local political analysts saw the move as a heavy-handed pressure tactic on the part of Washington's pro-Israel lobby.

EGYPT: Israel Recognised by Govt, Not By People

Thirty years after late Egyptian president Anwar Sadat's historic trip to Israel, Egyptian diplomatic relations with the Hebrew state remain cordial. On a popular level, however, the relationship - buttressed by the 1979 Camp David peace agreement - still represents a major source of contention.

MIDEAST: Annapolis Outcome ‘Proves Arab Failure’

In the wake of last month's Annapolis conference, some quarters of Arab officialdom express optimism that the talks might yet lead to a settlement of the perennial Israel-Palestine conflict. Many independent analysts, however, saw the event as little more than an exercise in submission.

EGYPT: Islamist Draft Manifesto Stirs Controversy

For the last several months, politicians of all stripes have awaited release of the Muslim Brotherhood movement's political party manifesto. According to spokesmen for the group, the document is intended to clarify the positions of the Muslim Brotherhood - Egypt's largest opposition force - on a range of issues.

EGYPT: Political Fatwas Draw Fire

Egypt's ruling party often accuses its Islamist opponents of exploiting religion to achieve political ends. But in the wake of several controversial fatwas - religious edicts - issued by the grand imam of the influential Al-Azhar Islamic establishment, critics are now accusing the state of playing the religion card.

MEDIA-EGYPT: Ahmed To Challenge &#39Press Offences&#39

Makram Mohamed Ahmed, newly elected Egyptian Journalists Syndicate chairman, has promised to pursue the syndicate's longstanding goal of outlawing the practice of issuing jail terms for so-called "publication offences".

EGYPT: Mubarak Brings Up Peaceful Nuclear Programme Again

Late last month, President Hosni Mubarak reiterated Egypt's intention to launch a peaceful nuclear programme to offset rising domestic energy demand.

EGYPT: Presidency Closer Now to Inheritance

The ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) concluded its ninth general congress earlier this month. Leading members articulated party policies and objectives. The event also saw a restructuring of the party's highest governing bodies, which critics saw as another step by Gamal Mubarak, son of President Hosni Mubarak, towards presidential succession.

MIDEAST: Annapolis Could Fail Before it Begins

In the run-up to the upcoming U.S.-sponsored Middle East peace conference, Cairo has continued to express guarded optimism that talks will achieve their stated aim of restarting final status negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.