Amid concerns over growing conflicts, recent deals and discussions across the Middle East signify foreign policy reassessments, giving some reason to be optimistic:
- Talks Signal Mideast Shift (New York Times)
As increasing numbers of US lawmakers visit Iraq in order to understand current conditions and policy problems…
- Baghdad Embassy Has Its Hands Full With Hill Visitors (Washington Post)
…the US government recognizes the limits of sheer military might and is now deploying a diverse force of civilian federal employees to help Iraq and Afghanistan reconstruction efforts:
- Rice Hails Corps to Rebuild Nations (Washington Times)
Saying that Hamas-associated charities help the political movement grow, Israel shuts down a school:
- Unease Over West Bank Raids (Washington Post)
Bedouins, Palestinians, and Israeli Arabs are among those most recently arrested in Israel for alleged links to Al Qaeda and planning attacks:
- Israel Makes Arrests in Alleged Plot Against Bush (Washington Post)
Rising inflation is causing some Gulf states to turn to ineffective government aid programs:
- Soaring Inflation Undermines Sustainability of Persian Gulf Region (Christian Science Monitor)
Indonesia strives to include more women in the work environment, but chooses employment quotas as the means to achieve that goal:
- Women Empowerment, Gender Issues Top Development List (Jakarta Post)
