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Offers U.S. news briefs. Pentagon inquiry identifying at least five cases in which U.S. guards or interrogators at Guantánamo Bay mishandled detainees' Korans; Use of psychologists and religious scholars to counsel enraged and revenge-seeking former inmates of Guantánamo Bay in Pakistan; Praise of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas by U.S. President George W. Bush; Difference of opinion regarding the disarming of Palestinian terrorists among U.S. and Israeli leaders; Decision by the United States Supreme Court to hear an abortion case in the fall; Others.

Reports on the historic meeting between Israel's Ariel Sharon and the newly elected Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas at a summit convened by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. How the leaders of the two waring countries came to a an agreement; Reasons that emotions have cooled off enough for peace talks; Why the agreement can not yet be called a peace treaty; Extremists on both sides of the border who could make the agreement crumble; Belief there is real cause for hope.

Discusses the implications of peace in the West Bank on Israeli settlements. Pledge of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to remove unauthorized settlements from the West Bank; Optimism following a summit meeting in Jordan that included U.S. President George W. Bush, Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, and Sharon; History of Israeli settlers in the West Bank; Number of Israelis in settlements; Reaction of settlement leaders to Sharon's vow to remove unlawful settlers; Long-term outlook for peace with Palestine.

Reports on the peace process, as the United States sends its ambassador to Israel, Daniel Kurtzer, to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon with a peace plan. Details of the 'road map,' which was crafted by the U.S., Russia, the European Union, and United Nations Secretariat; Discussion of the prerequisites of making a secure state of Israel, a democratic Palestine, and peaceful relations in the region; Issues of whether Sharon will give up Jewish settlements and whether the Arab terrorism can be stopped; Outlook for Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, who is also known as Abu Mazen, to become a trusted leader. INSET: Following the road map.

Discusses the Israeli-Palestinian situation and possible political changes should Yasser Arafat die. Likely successor to Arafat, Mahmoud Abbas; Persistence of the Palestinian intifada against Israel and the need to overcome it in order to pursue peace; Secret accounts owned by Arafat used to secure his position instead of rebuilding Palestine; Need for Arafat's successor to bring some form of law and order to Palestine.

The author offers his views about the foreign affairs challenges the 2008 U.S. President will face soon after election. The end of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's term will coincide with the inauguration of the U.S. President, and it is likely that the Islamist political party Hamas will either win a new election or resist Abbas if he tries to extend his term to 2010. A regional approach to Middle East settlement agreements is suggested, as offered by Bahrain foreign minister Al Khalifa.

The article reports on U.S. President George W. Bush's reception on his visit to the Middle East. On his first visit to Israel as President George W. Bush was sung "Hava Nagila" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by children and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert praised him. In Palestine there was no praise from President Mahmoud Abbas, despite George W. Bush's public optimism that a peace deal is possible during his term.

The author reflects on the conflict between Israel and Palestine over territory in the West Bank. The author fears that Mahmoud Abbas, leader of Fatah, will not fight with Israel for the West Bank because they failed to fight for Gaza in early 2007. The author comments that without Fatah's support, major Israeli cities would be vulnerable to an attack by Hamas. The author also criticizes U.S. President George W. Bush for changing his position on settlements in the West Bank.

The article reports on peace talks between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The meeting between these two leaders took place in Annapolis, Maryland, with the goal of reaching an agreement on issues such as Jerusalem and refugees. It is reported that negotiators have agreed to make an effort to settle the dispute by the end of 2008. INSET: TRY, TRY AGAIN.

The article discusses a proposed peace summit between Israel and Palestine to be held in Annapolis, Maryland, which U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said would be pushed back from November 2007. The United States had attempted to strengthen moderate Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and weaken the Islamic movement Hamas in elections in January 2006, but Hamas won the elections.

The article presents information about Palestinian President Mohmoud Abbas and the dichotomy of his peace-keeping words in contrast with his enablement of terrorists who are responsible for multiple attacks in the West Bank. Abbas is noted for speaking out publicly against terrorism and was supported by U.S. President George W. Bush and his administration in the 2005 Palestinian Authority (PA) election after the death of former President Yassar Arafat.

The article reports on the takeover of the Gaza Strip by Hamas militants who threw off the control of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and its Fatah armed wing. What some call an Islamist military coup against an Arab government has divided control of the Occupied Territories between Gaza under Hamas and the West Bank under the PA and its president, Mahmoud Abbas.

The article reports that al Qaeda is attempting to establish a presence in the Gaza strip and the West Bank, according to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Both Israeli and Palestinian leaders are using the nascent al Qaeda cells as political fuel. The bankrupt and destabilized Palestinian Authority may find its people susceptible to al Qaeda pressure.

Presents an editorial about the pullout of the Israelis from the Gaza Strip and its effect on Arab-Israeli relations. How the Palestinians view the pullout; Comments from Palestinian leaders such as Mahmoud Abbas, Mahmoud Zahar, Muhammad Hindi, and others; Suggestion that the Gaza Strip will become a terrorist training ground; How aid to Palestine and further Israeli concessions should be conditioned on the answers to questions about Palestine's intention of ending terrorist and inflammatory remarks and practices; Opinion that the Administration of United States President George W. Bush should persist in its position of demanding disarmament and dismantling of terrorist groups.

Comments on the outlook for peace in the Middle East and the importance of the next 100 days. Discussion of how Abu Mazen, the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, could be like Yasser Arafat in running the Palestinian Authority and dealing with a corrupt bureaucracy; Idea that Israel's willingness to dismantle settlements in Gaza and West Bank shows the country's desire for peace; View that Abu Mazen has not kept his promise to disarm terrorist organizations; Concern about a third intifada and that Palestinian terrorists will increase their attacks during Israel's disengagement; View that the Palestinian public is not getting accurate information.

Presents an editorial on the Palestinian election. Belief that expectations for peace between Palestine and Israel are too high; Need for winner Mahmoud Abbas to convince the Palestinians they must detoxify their society before real peace can exist; Concern that Abbas may not be a strong enough leader to stop terrorism; Legacy of Yasir Arafat which still exists; The relationship between the government and the radical Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups; Need to combat terrorism in order to get to peace; Abbas' idea that he can co-opt terrorists groups which will not be good enough; Reasons why the election should be viewed as one component of movement towards peace and not a solution; Contention it may take as long as a generation to excise the legacy of Arafat.

Examines Palestinian politics and government as of January 10, 2005. View of many Palestinians that the Intifada has been unsuccessful and damaging to society; Importance of the January 9, 2005 election for president of the Palestinian Authority; Claim that Mahmoud Abbas is expected to win the election; Opposition to Abbas from some who think he is too influenced by Israel and the U.S.; Disagreement between Palestinian and Israeli leaders over the conditions for a ceasefire.

Offers a look at U.S. President George W. Bush's involvement in the Middle East peace process between Israel and Palestine. Interactions with the Palestinian Prime Minister, Mahmoud Abbas; Possibility for a cease-fire; Construction of a security fence by Israelis.

Discusses the outlook for peace in the Middle East under the administration of United States President George W. Bush. Plans of the President to meet with Prime Ministers Ariel Sharon of Israel and Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority in Aqaba, Jordan; Other meetings planned by President Bush to promote his 'roadmap' for peace; Discussion of U.S. strategy, American leverage in the region, and foreign policy challenges; Idea that former President George Herbert Walker Bush advised his son to use personal diplomacy; Concern of critics that Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld, who urged President Bush to invade Iraq, will dictate Middle East policy.

The article focuses on security measures being instituted at West Bank, Israel checkpoints against Palestinians. At security checkpoints, the Israeli Army is going through bags, checking IDs, and causing long lines of waiting Palestinians. Terrorists have been caught at these way stations, adding to the problems slowing peace talks between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

The article describes political allegiances in Gaza among either Hamas, led by Ismail Haniyeh or Fatah, led by Mahmoud Abbas. The police forces are reportedly comprised of unarmed Hamas men dressed in brightly colored clothes. Hamas gunmen and Palestinian Authority security chief Mohammed Dahlan reportedly have poor relations. Social conditions at the Erez border crossing are described.

This article discusses peace talks between Israel and Palestine during 2007. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has endorsed peace talks between the two nations after years of U.S. officials being aloof to Middle Eastern politics. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas have agreed to meet every other week in peace-building talks.

The article presents the author's views on recent events in the Arab-Israeli conflict as of October 31, 2005. Israel's voluntary removal of roadblocks was responded to by an attack by the al-Aqsa Martyrs. Israel's response to the attack has been to ban all private Palestinian cars from the main road, rebuild roadblocks and barriers throughout Judea and Samaria. The article discusses the author's view that the lamentable inertia of the Palestinian Authority's president, Mahmoud Abbas, has brought such actions on Palestinians.

Presents an editorial about Palestine and the efforts that have been made towards creating peace with Israel. Comments on Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas and his failure to keep gunmen and terrorists behind bars; Assertion that the incitement of hatred is still going on in Palestine; Question about what Israel should do in this situation; Strategy of Abbas to present himself as a victim; Need for a strong leader in Palestine.

Discusses the relations between Palestine and Israel. Assertion that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas share a common desire for calm, but are operating on two different assumptions; Obstacles that must be overcome in order to achieve peace between the two nations; Suggestion for United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to put together a team with the European Union and the World Bank to work with Abbas; Steps that need to be taken in order for the two countries to stop fighting.

This article comments on the prospects for peace between Israel and Palestine now that Mahmoud Abbas is leading the Palestinians. The Palestinian suicide attack at the Stage Club on the beach at Tel Aviv was the work of Islamic Jihad but authorized by its leaders in Damascus. This murderous attack, which killed five Israelis and wounded about 50 civilians, highlights the price Israel is paying by reducing its military operations in order to give time to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, to build up his strength. Everything good that is happening in the Middle East will be at risk if the terrorists launch more attacks, because Israelis will then have no alternative but to retaliate. There is no way of knowing how much time Abu Mazen has to translate words into deeds. Yasir Arafat had the opportunity but not the will.

Focuses on the outlook for the Middle East peace process, in the wake of a suicide bus bombing in Jerusalem that killed 20 and wounded some 120 others. Indication that Hamas threatened Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and raided Nablus, West Bank after an Israeli counterattack; Efforts of the administration of United States President George W. Bush to save the peace process; Indication that Hamas and Islamic Jihad left the temporary truce, or "hudna"; Background on the bombing and the farewell video; Discussion of the political weakness of Abbas and his security minister, Mohammed Dahlan, in dealing with the terrorist infrastructure.

Reports that Israeli troops withdrew from Bethlehem and parts of the Gaza Strip, as peace negotiations progressed between Palestinians and Israel. Summit meeting between Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Mahmoud Abbas to discuss an end to terrorists attacks and re-establish Palestinian control in much of West Bank and Gaza; Role of the United States.

Discusses a summit meeting in Jordan between U.S. President George W. Bush, Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Mission of Bush to support a reformist Palestinian prime minister; Promise of Sharon to dismantle illegal outposts in Palestinian areas; Pledge of Abbas to renounce terrorism against Israelis; Interview that Bush held with journalists after the summit; Opinion of Bush that it is the right time to work for peace because Yasser Arafat is out of the picture.

Evaluates the possibility of peace in the Middle East. Meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Shannon and Palestinian prime minister Mahmoud Abbas; Suicide bombings; Role of Yasser Arafat, who is believed to fund terrorists; Control of Arafat; Suggestions for Abbas; Role of the United States.

Discusses the suicide bombings in Israel in relation to the Mideast peace initiative by U.S. President George W. Bush and his administration. Relations between Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon; Negotiations between Sharon and U.S.-backed Palestinian prime minister Mahmoud Abbas; Calling for an end to terrorist attacks in Israel by Sharon.

At long last, an inkling of progress in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. After an intense power struggle, Yasser Arafat and his newly minted prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas (aka Abu Mazen), agreed on a new Palestinian cabinet, paving the way for restarting the Mideast peace talks. In the face of mounting international pressure, Arafat accepted many--but not all--of Abbas's picks. Most important: his eventual nod to put Palestinian security forces in the hands of Mohammed Dahlan, the former head of security forces in the Gaza Strip and a respected moderate.

Reports that Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat appointed his deputy, Mahmoud Abbas, as the Palestinian prime minister. Comments from Martin Indyk regarding Arafat's loss of power; How this is seen as a step forward in the peace process between the Palestinians and the Israelis.