IPS correspondents bring you independent perspectives on what is happening in Iran, Iraq and across the Middle East.

MIDEAST: Gaza Extremists Drifting Towards al-Qaeda?
By Mel Frykberg
RAMALLAH (IPS) – Two separate bomb attacks on Internet cafes in Gaza last week have served as an uncomfortable reminder that extremist groups within the coastal territory may be stronger than the comparatively moderate Hamas organisation which rules the strip.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49938

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ECONOMY: Dubai Debts Prompt Review of Islamic Finance
By Mona Alami
BEIRUT (IPS) – ‘The World?, a manmade archipelago off the coast of Dubai, developed by the Nakheel real estate company – which partly relied on the issuance of Islamic bonds, or sukuk, to finance the ambitious project – has come to symbolise for many the vulnerability of the Islamic financial market.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49959

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IRAQ: Will Elections Bring Stability, or More Turmoil?
Analysis by Mohammed A. Salih
WASHINGTON (IPS) – Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary elections are widely considered a barometre of the country’s progress and march toward stability, but they could also have a serious destabilising impact, as the U.S. prepares for a major reduction of its troops by August.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49943

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MIDEAST: Israel Declares War on Peace NGOs
By Jerrold Kessel and Pierre Klochendler
JERUSALEM (IPS) – One year after the devastating attack on Hamas in Gaza a new wave of reports castigating Israel for war crimes has emerged.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49962

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RIGHTS-US: Afghan Prisoners Challenge Indefinite Detention
By William Fisher
NEW YORK (IPS) – While the unsuccessful attempt to bring down a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas day captured the headlines and put major political roadblocks in the path of prisoner release from Guantanamo Bay, the courts ? far more quietly – continued to play a major role in influencing the detention issue.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49922

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MIDEAST: Israel Cool to New U.S. Pressure
Analysis by Jerrold Kessel and Pierre Klochendler
JERUSALEM (IPS) – In the past, whenever there was even a semblance of pressure from Washington on Israel, nerves in Jerusalem went all a-jangle.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49937

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MIDEAST: Sale of Land to Israel Threatens to Split Church
By Mel Frykberg
RAMALLAH (IPS) – Israel?s bid to keep occupied East Jerusalem under its sovereignty and prevent its incorporation into a future Palestinian state has been boosted over the years with the acquiescence of the Greek Orthodox Church.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49921

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MIDEAST: Route May Open, But Not to Peace
By Jerrold Kessel and Pierre Klochendler
ROUTE 443, Occupied West Bank (IPS) – Just beyond the main Israeli checkpoint, ten kilometres short of Jerusalem, a white Nissan station wagon is abruptly edging to the side of the road. It comes to a halt on the shoulder.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49918

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ECONOMY-JORDAN: Dubai Crisis Casts Shadow On 2010
By Mona Alami
AMMAN (IPS) – Surrounded by oil-rich nations Jordan has been able to make do with its modest resources over the years. In 2010, however, the country will have to face challenges associated with global economic slowdown and the crisis in Dubai.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49916

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RIGHTS: Groups Protest “Profiling” at U.S. Airports
By William Fisher
NEW YORK (IPS) – Civil liberties advocates and organisations representing Muslims believe the Barack Obama administration’s decision to require extra scrutiny for travelers to the U.S. from 14 predominantly Islamic countries will lead to practices that are discriminatory and ineffective.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49912

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U.S.: World’s Most Controversial Prison Enters Ninth Year
By William Fisher
NEW YORK (IPS) – As the world marked the beginning of the ninth year of detention at the U.S. Navy base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba on Monday, a leading legal advocacy group filed suit against the Library of Congress for firing Guantanamo’s former chief prosecutor for writing articles criticising the use of military commissions to try suspected terrorists.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49951

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DON’T MISS IPS EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE OF THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.

U.S. President Barack Obama has inherited wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a tanking economy, and global crises like climate change. IPS reports on the implications of the new administration not just for U.S. citizens, but for the world.
www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/us_elections2008/index.asp

For more IPS reporting on the Middle East – www.ipsnews.net/middle.asp

Iraq: Beyond the Green Zone – www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/iraq/

Iran: The Parthian Shot – www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/iran/

Holy Land/Unholy War – www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/israel_palestina/

Afghan Divide – www.ipsnews.net/afghanistan/

Bush’s Legacy – www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/warII/

IPS coverage of terrorism – www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/terrorism/

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