Is Democracy in Iraq realistic?

Getting rid of Saddam was the easy part. Installing a working democracy is proving to be a somewhat more difficult and complicated process.

The US attention deficit disorder

OVER the past two weeks, two events have captivated the American public’s attention as well as monopolised the majority of the country’s press. This attitude underlines the ability of the American media to rapidly shift its focus from international issues that impact the country’s national interest, to more localised topics. These “domestic” issues then stir curiosity outside the United States, but only as a result of the fascination shown by the US media in covering those events.

Bombs and regime change in Syria

Amid reports that the White House is looking into prospects of a post-Assad future for Syria, Lebanon, the only Middle East country with a prominent Christian population, celebrated Easter amid rumors of renewed strife.

U.N. Report on Hariri’s assassination

The U.N. holds the government of Syria as primarily responsible “for the political tension that preceded the assassination of former Prime Minister Mr. Hariri.”

Another Lebanese civil war unlikely

A recent wave of bomb attacks targeting Beirut’s Christian neighborhoods is reviving the specter of Lebanon’s civil war.

All eyes are set on Algiers

All Arab eyes were fixed on the two-day Arab League summit in Algiers. At least half of them, anyway.

Can Syria and the U.S. talk?

By Claude Salhani
Khaleej Times

Recent reports from Damascus seem to indicate that President Bashar Assad is emerging from the Lebanon crisis stronger, and that the latest upheaval will allow him to push forward reforms.

Is reforming Syria realistic?

Syria’s surprisingly acceptance to withdraw troops and intelligence units from Lebanon after nearly 30 years came about suddenly, making some analysts suspect it might be just a little too easy.

Hezbollah a political reality

The Bush administration still considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization, though there were clear signals from the U.S. administration that it might be ready to soften its stance towards the militant Shiite group.

The Lebanese phenomenon

After years of political stagnation in Lebanon, the Feb. 14 killing of former prime minister Rafik Hariri has unleashed the genie that was bottled up in Lebanese politics.