IRAQ: 800 Civilians Feared Dead in Fallujah

At least 800 civilians have been killed during the U.S. military siege of Fallujah, a Red Cross official estimates.

MIDEAST: The Future Hangs on This Moment

Just one moment in that jostling crowd under undisciplined Palestinian security forces at the funeral of Yasser Arafat was enough to pick up on huge problems for resumption of a peace process in the Middle East.

IRAQ: The Other Face of U.S. ‘Success’ in Fallujah

Everyone saw it coming, only the U.S. forces did not: humanitarian disaster in Fallujah, and stronger resistance against U.S. and allied occupying forces all around Iraq.

MIDEAST: Just What Mr Palestine Ruled Over

For almost four decades, Yasser Arafat was Mr Palestine to many in this fractured homeland.

IRAQ: U.S. Will Lose More by ‘Victory’

A military victory for U.S. forces in Fallujah seems set to lead to a huge political loss for the U.S.-backed interim Iraqi government.

MEDIA-MIDEAST: Reporting Arafat Becomes Another Crisis

Reporting the state of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, or worse, on developments looking at life after Arafat is emerging as another crisis.

IRAQ: Economy Hurting More Than Violence

Violence is taking a heavy toll in Iraq, but everyday economic difficulties could be hurting people more.

MIDEAST: Palestinians Struggle to Find Leadership

The Palestinian leadership in Ramallah is struggling to organise itself in the absence of veteran leader Yasser Arafat. His duties have been divided between Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia and former prime minister Mahmoud Abbas. But the old leader may throw a wrench into a smooth succession by having named a chosen successor at the last moment.

IRAQ: Resistance over Fallujah Builds Up in Baghdad

The anger building up in Baghdad over the imminent attack on Fallujah is a warning that U.S. forces could start off more than they can handle.

MIDEAST: There Is Life After Arafat

Ramallah moves to the slow and heavy rhythm of any Muslim town in the Middle East during the fasting month of Ramadan.

U.S. ELECTION: More of the Same Is Bad News in Middle East

Most reactions in the Middle East to the re-election of U.S. President George W. Bush have ranged from the caustic to the cautious. Rejoicing has been rare.

POLITICS-MIDEAST: ‘What After Arafat?’

A historic vote in Israel's parliament to withdraw from Gaza has been overshadowed by serious concern over the health of the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat.

SOCIETY-ISRAEL: Child Abuse ‘Rises with Intifadah’

Child abuse in Israel has gone up five-fold compared to the time before the Intifadah, a new report says.

MIDEAST: Disengagement May Not Bring Peace

Israel has been gripped by disengagement fever since the opening of the winter session of Parliament, the Knesset, last week. In a few days lawmakers will have to vote on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's proposal to withdraw the army from the Gaza Strip and dismantle all settlements there, as well as four in the north of the West Bank.

EGYPT: Tourism Expected to Withstand Bombings

Bomb blasts at two holiday resorts in Egypt's Sinai peninsula have sent shivers through the tourism industry, but tour operators expect the country's biggest foreign currency earner to suffer only minor damage.

EGYPT: Al-Qaeda Hand, Palestinian Shadow

The leader of an Israeli rescue team points to the rubble of what was the lobby of Hilton hotel. "Look, you can see clearly where the car exploded."

MIDEAST: Anger Advances with New Offensive

The rapidly mounting civilian death toll as a result of Israel's massive offensive in the north of the Gaza Strip is deepening hatred and may lead to continuing cycles of bloodshed, Palestinian politicians and human rights activists in Gaza say.

MEDIA: Detention Provokes a Freedom Struggle

The Yemeni government which has condemned the abduction of journalists and aid workers in Iraq, itself stands accused now of 'abducting' journalists and trying to silence them.

ENVIRONMENT-IRAQ: ‘Garden of Eden’ Becomes a Mess

The Bible suggests that the Iraqi marshlands were once the Garden of Eden. But the garden if it ever existed is long gone, and so mostly are the marshlands.

MIDEAST: New Stars Shine on Israel

The Israeli Tourism Authority has taken to organising high profile visits of Hollywood stars and pop divas to lure tourists to the Holy Land.

IRAQ: Doubts Rise Over Partial Elections

Iraqi leaders and officials are getting jittery over the now partial elections proposed for January next year.