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Presents a chronology of U.S.-Middle East relation compiled as of December 2002. Agreement of the U.S. Defense Department to fund covert operations by dissident Iraqi National Congress; Accusations levelled by U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman and Arlem Specter on Iran, Iraq, Syria and Saudi Arabia for funding Islamic group Hamas.

Reports on developments concerning efforts to uphold human rights in the Middle East as of July 2001. Initiatives to uphold women's right of suffrage in Kuwait; Humanitarian perspective on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the Middle East; Protests by cancer victims against nuclear plants in Israel.

Presents the chronology of foreign relations between the United States and the Middle East. Defense of Israel on its assassination policy; Accusation of the former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid against the United States for supporting his ouster and successor; Arrest of Christian groups by the Lebanese army.

The article reports that Georgetown University's Center for Contemporary Arab Studies has hosted a two-day symposium March 31 and April 1 in Washington, DC on the state of Arab studies programs. Many of the panelists addressed the role of Arab studies in the current political clime— specifically, whether or not academics could or did or should have an impact on U.S. policy toward the Middle East. Questions of tenure and public censure were addressed, as was the question of what graduating students did with the knowledge gained in their Middle East and Arabic-language studies.

The article reports that the Middle East Studies Association (MESA) met in San Francisco, California from November 20-23, 2004. As has been the case for the past few years, the U.S. visa requirements prevented many important scholars from Middle Eastern nations from attending the meeting. Additionally, a lockout of hotel employees caused heated MESA board debates as to whether to move the meeting and risk virtually all of MESA's endowment, or cross picket lines and use the long-booked Hyatt Embarcadero.

At a March 1, 2003 demonstration and prayer vigil in front of the U.S. Department of State, members of an interfaith coalition of religious leaders announced plans to travel to Baghdad to show solidarity with the Iraqi people and call attention to the immoral war then threatened by the U.S. Members of the delegation planned to meet with the Middle East Council of Churches and tour hospitals, schools, orphanages, health clinics and places of worship. Facilitated by Ron Daniels, executive director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, and backed by such groups as Black Voices for Peace and the Muslim American Society, Freedom Foundation, delegates included various social workers. Later, on their return to the United States, members of the delegation held a March 10, 2003 press conference at the National PressClub. Imam Bray, Sheikh Shaker El Sayed and Rev. Herbert Daughtry joined Ron Daniels, executive director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, to talk about the devastation they had witnessed in Iraq, even prior to the commencement of the U.S.-led military attack. The delegation discussed the horrible conditions they had witnessed in children's hospitals, schools, on the streets and elsewhere. They highlighted Iraqi anger with the U.S. governmentbut not toward the American people.

The article reports on the annual Palestine Center conference, held on November 18, 2005 in Washington D.C. Noted scholar Naseer Aruri introduced the theme of the conference, "Palestine and the Middle East in a Global Context," with the question, "Is there now a new global environment?" Aruri sketched out mounting U.S. threats against Syria and Iran, as well as the rising power of states like Brazil, Venezuela, South Africa and China--all in the so-called "Global South." Appearing by video, keynote speaker Asmi Bishara, a Palestinian member of Israel's Knesset, stated that in the current global context, American hegemony was the most important factor in the region.

The article informs that the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) celebrated its 90th anniversary in San Francisco, California, on August 10-14 by deciding to focus on two huge issues--the Middle East and water--for the coming three years. At their workshop-filled congress, WILPF members explored topics such as myths and stereotypes of the Middle East.

Presents lists of charitable organizations in the Middle East. Name of the institutions; Provision of ambulance transporting patients to hospitals; Programs for health development.

Focuses on the efforts of the United States government to explain the existing US policy in the Middle East to its citizens. Organizations involved in the information campaign; Topics tackled in teach-in sessions; Participants in the gathering.

Reports the response of Americans to the existing Middle East policies of the United States. Issues protested by the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) group; Discussion about the condition of Afghan children; Provision of the USA PATRIOT Act.

Discusses the failures of the United States in the Middle East peace process under former President Bill Clinton. Conflict in the interpretations of the peace process; Reliance of the US on the timetable of former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak; Insertion into intra-Palestinian politics.

Presents news items related to condition of Middle East as of April 2003. Consideration on the Islamic regime of Turkey; Condition of Islamic culture in the Turkey; Focus on the Palestinian Film Festival supported by Columbia University; Emphasis on war in Iraq given by scholar Meliha Altunisik, an associate professor at Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey.