In The News

The Essential Agenda

Osama El-Ghazali Harb May 16, 2003
Would granting aid to Iraq now appear as if Egypt and other Arab countries support the Anglo-American occupiers of Iraq? Most Arabs considered the war on Iraq unjustified, says this opinion article from Egypt's Al-Ahram Weekly. But at the same time, they also agreed that Saddam Hussein needed to be brought down. In response to his critics, Egyptian scholar Osama El-Ghazali Harb argues that...

Sharon, Abbas Receive Middle East 'Road Map'

Harvey Morris April 30, 2003
A ‘road map’ to Middle East peace, drawn up by the US, the EU, the UN, and Russia, was presented to Ariel Sharon, Israel’s prime minister, and Mahmoud Abbas, the new Palestinian prime minister. EU aid to Palestinians is linked to reform, and it is hoped that the plan will contribute to a stronger Palestinian Authority administration, better conditions for the Palestinians, and a reduction in...

A New War Over Iraq

Joshua Chaffin April 27, 2003
Although the dust has barely settled from the fighting in Baghdad, international companies are already lobbying intensely for lucrative contracts to rebuild Iraq. The extent of reconstruction, the risks involved, and the specific roles for local, national and international stakeholders is yet to be determined. The success of the reconstruction efforts also depends on the development of...

As Baghdad Awaits Aid, Feeling Grows Against U.S.

Jane Perlez April 23, 2003
While the US shifts from war to reconstruction in Iraq, many worries surface. Maintaining stability between the competing Islamic sects of Shia and Sunni is one problem, especially as Iran sends agents to promote its cause amongst Iraqi Shias. Settling the issue of UN involvement and sanctions is another since Russia has asserted that sanctions only be lifted once UN inspectors have confirmed the...

Garner’s Challenge

April 22, 2003
Iraq’s post-war administration, led by former American General Jay Garner, faces difficult domestic and international political challenges as Iraq begins to rebuild. In addition to handling immediate problems such as providing basic services and keeping order, the administration must address potential religious conflict between Sunni Muslims and the Shia majority, as well as international...

Iraq War Ends, Not Europe's Acrimony with the US

Shada Islam April 15, 2003
British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Spain's Jose Maria Aznar have joined France and Germany in demanding that the United Nations play the central role in administering and rebuilding post-Saddam Iraq. Not only does the UN have the experience and the expertise to handle Iraq's reconstruction, it is the only body with a legal mandate to do so. UN oversight, EU leaders argue, will be...

Street Gaps

Amira Howeidy April 4, 2003
As the war in Iraq proceeds, demonstrators, political dissenters, and even frozen political parties wage their own war of dissidence within Egypt. Among their grievances are the US invasion of Iraq, Israeli aggression towards the Palestinians, and, according to some analysts, government corruption. Yet also within this battle both sides struggle over the right to demonstrate. The Egyptian...