Israel is cheering on a US attack on Iraq. What does Israel have to gain from a war that is opposed by the whole world, and do sinister blueprints from Washington’s ultraconservative think tanks herald a frightening future for the Middle East? EI’s Ali Abunimah investigates. Read more about Yearning for World War IV: The Israel-Iraq connection 

As Israel jumps from one self-made crisis to the next, the State of Israel itself is in an alarming condition. Sam Bahour reports from under siege in Ramallah/Al-Bireh. Read more about Wake up and smell the occupation 

The Palestinian people are stuck between a brutal and lethal Israeli occupation, and leaders who have served them poorly. Hasan Abu-Nimah writing for EI, argues that root and branch reform is needed, but not the kind advocated by Israel and the United States. Read more about The role of leadership in a democracy 

The UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding Israel ends its siege on Yasser Arafat’s Ramallah compound. EI’s Ali Abunimah argues that while the international community scrambles to respond to such artificial crises, the real issues are being ignored, and greater danger is to come. Read more about Artificial Crisis, Artificial Response 

Next week — from Monday through Wednesday — will mark the anniversary of yet other dark days in September. This horrific event occurred 20 years ago in the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila, on the outskirts of the Lebanese capital, Beirut. Read more about Commentary: The other Sept. remembrance  

When the PLO moved its leadership and cadres from exile to the Occupied Territories, they did not come as liberators, but merely to join their people as fellow prisoners of the Israelis. From the first days of the Oslo accords, even Palestinian leaders were subjected to the most humiliating controls by the occupier, except when “VIP” passes were granted as a favor and privilege to be withdrawn at any time. Today, “VIP” stands only for “Very Important Prisoner.” Read more about Arafat & Co. celebrate 'VIP' status 

One year later, people in the Arab world are still struggling with the enormity and meaning of the September 11 attacks. Hasan Abu-Nimah provides his perspective from Amman. Read more about This day a year ago 

An Israeli newspaper has revealed the contents of an agreement between PLO Jerusalem spokesman Sari Nusseibeh, and former chief of the Israeli secret police, Ami Ayalon, for a final Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement. EI’s Ali Abunimah says that this document is full of deceptive language concealing disasterous concessions which liquidate basic Palestinian human rights. Read more about Palestinian Rights in the Document Shredder: The Nusseibeh-Ayalon Agreement