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

IRAQ: Iran Eases Support to Radical Group – For Now
Roxana Saberi
SULEIMANIYEH – Iraq’s deputy prime minister has credited Tehran with helping curb the activities of a radical Shia Muslim militia, and he is also hoping Iran will do more to help stabilise its western neighbour.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=40430

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White House Fought NIE Over an Old Charge
Analysis by Gareth Porter*
WASHINGTON – The reported White House resistance to the National Intelligence Estimate’s conclusion that Iran had abandoned a nuclear weapons programme in 2003 was an effort to save a political tactic the Bush administration had been using since early 2004, despite the absence of an intelligence analysis to support it.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=40422

“Laptop of Death”: Revising the NIE on Iran – Analysis by Khody Akhavi
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=40397

Is Iran NIE a Blessing in Disguise for Israel? – Analysis by Trita Parsi*
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=40373

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MIDEAST: Annapolis Outcome ‘Proves Arab Failure’
Adam Morrow and Khaled Moussa al-Omrani
CAIRO – In the wake of last month’s Annapolis conference, some quarters of Arab officialdom express optimism that the talks might yet lead to a settlement of the perennial Israel-Palestine conflict. Many independent analysts, however, saw the event as little more than an exercise in submission.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=40413

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Q&A: “Where Is the Democracy in International Relations?”
Interview with Abdelwahab Derbal, Arab League in Brussels
VENICE – It’s about the oldest dispute around, which is good enough reason to hear more on it from those who can influence a possible resolution. So when Abdelwahab Derbal, head of the mission in Brussels of the League of Arab States speaks of his anger over the Palestine issue, these may be words to listen to, whichever side of the divide (if any) you are on.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=40410

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IRAQ: Education Becomes the New Casualty in Baquba
Ahmed Ali*
BAQUBA – The alarming security situation in Diyala province north of Baghdad has killed off much of the education system. The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq had at first brought hope. Salaries were increased; a newly appointed primary or secondary school teacher was given 200,000 Iraqi Dinars, about 150 dollars a month.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=40408

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PAKISTAN: Taking Part in Musharraf’s Polls – Under Protest
Analysis by Beena Sarwar
KARACHI – With general elections barely a month away, Pakistan?s major political parties have decided not to boycott the polls and take their chances in a situation where the media and the judiciary have been hobbled.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=40403

Trouble in Pakistan – More IPS Special Coverage
www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/pakistan/index.asp

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EGYPT: Islamist Draft Manifesto Stirs Controversy
Adam Morrow and Khaled Moussa al-Omrani
CAIRO – For the last several months, politicians of all stripes have awaited release of the Muslim Brotherhood movement’s political party manifesto. According to spokesmen for the group, the document is intended to clarify the positions of the Muslim Brotherhood — Egypt’s largest opposition force — on a range of issues.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=40381

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TURKEY: Political Graveyard May Get Extension
Analysis by Hilmi Toros
ISTANBUL – Turkey seems to have a far bigger ‘cemetery’ for political parties than many other democratic nations. Its next occupant could be a controversial pro-Kurdish party.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=40380

LobeLog.com
IPS Washington bureau chief Jim Lobe’s take on U.S. foreign policy and the story behind the story. www.ips.org/blog/jimlobe/

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

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

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

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

Afghan Divide – www.ipsnews.net/afghanistan/index.asp

View From the U.S.: Bush at War – www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/warII/index.asp

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