MIDEAST: News Coverage Throws Up Arab Rifts

Coverage of Israel's recent war on the Gaza Strip by regional news stations has reflected longstanding political divisions within the Arab world. Qatar-based Al- Jazeera's reporting drew a particularly angry response from Egypt.

MIDEAST: Politically, Hamas May Have Won

Despite declarations of victory by Israel, the military assault on the Gaza Strip failed to achieve its stated aims, many analysts say. The assault, and even its exceptional brutality, may only have vindicated the notion of resistance among the Arab public.

MIDEAST: A Tale of Two Summits

Despite declarations of Arab unity at a recent economic summit, Egyptian commentators say that fundamental differences between rival Arab camps - especially over the issue of Palestine - are far from over.

MIDEAST: Egypt ‘Not Bound’ by Anti-Smuggling Pact

The U.S. and Israel signed a memorandum of understanding last week ostensibly aimed at combating arms smuggling into the Gaza Strip. Egypt, however, which shares a 14-kilometre border with the embattled territory, rejected the accord as an infringement on its national sovereignty.

MIDEAST: Egypt Bent at the Border

Tens of thousands of houses inside the Gaza Strip were destroyed by air strikes and artillery during Israel's recently concluded military campaign. Areas along Egypt's border with the hapless enclave, meanwhile, have not been immune from the devastation.

MIDEAST: Gaza War Divides Arab Governments From People

Street protests against Israel's assault on Gaza continue to be held almost daily. The anger has not ended with the ceasefire called.

MIDEAST: Resistance Rejects International Gaza Force

Since the outset of Israel's war on the Gaza Strip, calls have been renewed for an "international force" to protect the civilian population. But Palestinian resistance factions, chief among them Hamas, reject the idea outright.

MIDEAST: Ceasefire Moves Fading Away

A week after the unveiling of a Franco-Egyptian ceasefire proposal aimed at stopping the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian resistance faction Hamas and on the face of it Israel, are still discussing the fine print of an agreement.

MIDEAST: Brothers in Thought, Not in Arms

Egypt's official press has recently alleged an "organisational relationship" between the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood (MB) opposition movement and Palestinian resistance group Hamas, currently facing the brunt of Israel's war on the Gaza Strip. MB spokesmen, however, say their relationship with Hamas is purely ideological.

MIDEAST: Egypt Pulls Down the Shutters on Aid

Egyptian authorities have almost fully sealed the border with Gaza, preventing delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid.

MIDEAST: Obama Silence 'Ends Hopes From U.S.'

With the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip now in its second week - and as the Palestinian death toll approaches 600 - U.S. president-elect Barack Obama has continued to remain silent. Obama's reticence, say Egyptian commentators, indicates that he will be no more even-handed on the issue of Palestine than preceding U.S. administrations.

MIDEAST: Egypt Seen as Complicit in Gaza Assault

As the Palestinian death toll approaches 400, much of popular anger throughout the Arab world has been directed at Egypt - seen by many as complicit in the Israeli campaign.

MIDEAST: Peace Process Blown to Bits

Formally, the Israeli-Palestinian "peace process" appears set to continue, in line with the last UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution. But the chances of finding a resolution are virtually nil in light of Israel's new campaign against the Gaza Strip.

IRAQ: It Could be More Than Three Years to US Departure

Washington and Baghdad signed a security agreement earlier this month allowing the U.S. to maintain a military presence in Iraq for another three years. But while Baghdad officials hailed the pact as the "beginning of the end" of the U.S.-led occupation, Egyptian commentators - like much of the Iraqi opposition - say the agreement simply reflects U.S. strategic interests.

EGYPT: Many Oppose Jewish Festival

Jews from around the world come annually to Egypt to celebrate the birth anniversary of Abu Hassira, a 19th century holy man buried in the Nile Delta. But many local people oppose the celebrations, and this year particularly because of Israel's ongoing siege of the Gaza Strip.

EGYPT: Anti-Piracy Flotillas Rattle Arab Security

Representatives from states bordering the Red Sea met in Cairo last week to forge a common policy against the threat of maritime piracy. But some local commentators say recent deployments of foreign naval forces to the area to combat Somali corsairs could constitute an even greater threat.

MIDEAST: Palestinian Split Deepens

Palestinian resistance factions were roundly blamed in the mainstream media for their last-minute decision to boycott last week's Egypt-sponsored "comprehensive dialogue" summit, ostensibly aimed at Palestinian national reconciliation. But some independent commentators say the move, led by Gaza-based resistance faction Hamas, was justified.

EGYPT: Ruling Party Delivers More Disappointment

The ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) of President Hosni Mubarak promised a "new style of thinking" at its fifth annual party congress last week, but critics in the opposition say they saw little of it.

EGYPT: Islamists Hounded, On Campus and Off

Candidates associated with opposition movements, especially the Muslim Brotherhood, were reportedly barred from participating in last month's student union elections in universities across Egypt. Recent weeks have seen dozens of Brotherhood members detained.

IRAQ: U.S. Pushes In Their Excellencies

More than five years after the U.S.-led invasion and occupation of Iraq, Arab capitals are beginning to send ambassadors to Baghdad. But some Egyptian commentators question the timing of the move, which they attribute to pressure from Washington.

EGYPT: Ruling Party in Free Fall

A high-ranking member of Egypt's ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) is facing trial on charges of arranging the murder of a Lebanese pop singer. The case, along with a host of other public grievances, has badly tarnished the NDP's reputation ahead of an upcoming party conference.