EGYPT: Iran-Bashing Fails to Get Far

A news report in the state press late last month suggesting Iranian involvement in the 2005 death of an Egyptian ambassador to Iraq triggered a series of contradictory statements from the foreign ministry. Now that the dust has settled, many local observers see the incident as a heavy-handed attempt by Cairo - following Washington's lead - to jump on the anti-Tehran bandwagon.

EGYPT: Islamist Leadership Faces Military Tribunal

In a further escalation of the ongoing crackdown against the Islamist opposition, the state earlier this month referred 40 high-ranking members of the Muslim Brotherhood to a military court on charges of money laundering and "attempting to revive the banned group's activities."

EGYPT: Clash Builds Up with Islamist Opposition

In an escalation of the ongoing campaign against the Muslim Brotherhood, the government late last month froze the assets of several companies owned by members of the Islamist movement on money laundering charges. Brotherhood spokesmen say the move represents an attempt to stifle the group's political activities and incite it to seek recourse outside the political arena.

EGYPT: State Media Loses Billion Dollars, And Counting

Revelations in January that Egypt's state-owned press institutions had accumulated vast government debts have ignited a torrent of speculation that privatisation of the industry is in the cards.

EGYPT: Cairo Backs U.S. Against Popular Disapproval

During her visit to the region earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice secured the support of Cairo and other "moderate" Arab capitals for Washington's new strategy in Iraq announced by U.S. President George Bush in mid-January.

EGYPT: Constitutional Changes Override Opposition

Constitutional changes have been proposed in Egypt, but not in line with what the opposition had been demanding.

EGYPT: Muslim Brotherhood In the Dock Again

For the first time, President Hosni Mubarak has declared publicly that the banned but tolerated Muslim Brotherhood group represented a "danger to Egypt's security". The President's statements came amid an ongoing government crackdown on the group, triggered by the appearance last month of what the official press has called an Islamist "militia".

CHALLENGES 2006-2007: The Year of Living Dangerously in the Middle East

Following the execution of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, almost four years after the U.S.-led invasion and occupation of Iraq, the Middle East stands at a crossroads.

CHALLENGES 2006-2007: Emboldened Opposition, but Few Real Reforms in Egypt

Domestically, the past year was a watershed for Egypt. It witnessed the emergence an empowered Muslim Brotherhood controlling roughly one-fifth of the parliament; a rebellion by reformist elements of the judiciary; and an embattled president vowing - but not yet delivering - a new era of political reform.

EGYPT: Fearing Civil Wars, Cairo Counsels Restraint

While the situation in U.S.-occupied Iraq has slid further into chaos and sectarian strife, Egypt has watched anxiously as two areas closer to home - the occupied Palestinian territories and Lebanon - have also been roiled by the specter of civil war.

EGYPT: Opposition Skeptical over Constitutional Reform

Following earlier pledges to make 2007 "the year of constitutional reform," President Hosni Mubarak recently called for a raft of amendments to the national charter "with the aim of securing a new era of political change." According to opposition figures and political analysts, however, the promised reforms represent little more than window dressing.

RELIGION: Headscarves Dispute Travels to Egypt

Heated disputes have arisen in Egypt over the suggestion by culture minister Farouk Hosni last week that the rising number of Egyptian women wearing the Islamic headscarf is a sign of social "regression".

EGYPT: Nuclear Ambition Could Mean a Presidential Dream

An announcement that the government intends to produce nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is provoking heated debate.

MIDEAST: Egyptian Mediation Pushed Back

Egypt's attempts to mediate the escalating crisis between Israel and Hamas appear to have run out of steam. The Egyptian 'retreat' follows a mystery attack on one of its ships.

EGYPT: Journalists Challenge New Press Law

Many journalists and opposition leaders are opposing a new law approved by parliament this week. They say the law fails to protect editors and reporters from imprisonment for so-called press violations.

MIDEAST: Egypt Steps In Doubtfully

Egypt has dispatched a delegation of security experts to the Gaza Strip in an attempt to defuse rising tension. The Israeli military is poised to re-invade the territory following the abduction of one of its soldiers.

EGYPT: Parliament Comes Down on Judiciary

Parliament has passed a law that critics say will keep the judiciary under control of the executive.

POLITICS: A Thaw in Egypt-Iran Relations?

The recent visit to the Egyptian capital by a high-level Iranian official has reignited speculation about the state of Egyptian-Iranian diplomatic relations, officially frozen since 1979. Ali Larijani, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, is the highest ranking Iranian official to visit Egypt in the last 27 years.

EGYPT: Judges Join Opposition in Demanding Reform

The Egyptian parliament is considering a new law on the judiciary following major demonstrations last month in support of two pro-reform judges.

EGYPT: Opposition Fights Martial Law Extension

Opposition groups and rights activists condemned a government decision this week to extend the emergency law - already in place for a quarter century - by another two years.

EGYPT: Sinai Bombings Could Become a Trend

Bomb attacks in the Red Sea resort town of Dahab earlier this week have again raised the spectre of domestic terrorism, and devastation of the tourism industry.