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

MIDEAST: Israeli Soldiers Expose Atrocities in Gaza
By Jerrold Kessel and Pierre Klochendler
JERUSALEM (IPS) – Based on testimony from Israeli soldiers who took part in the recent war in Gaza, Israel is being confronted directly with the serious charge that permissive rules of engagement allowed for the killing of Palestinian civilians and widespread destruction of Palestinian property.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46193

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MIDEAST: U.S. Jews Open to Palestinian Unity Govt
By Jim Lobe*
WASHINGTON (IPS) – Contrary to the views of the likely incoming right-wing government of Israel, most U.S. Jews favour peace negotiations with a Palestinian unity government that would include Hamas, according to a new poll released here Tuesday by the year-old, pro-peace Jewish lobby group, J Street.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46262

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MIDEAST: Disputes Coming to a Head
Analysis by Jerrold Kessel and Pierre Klochendler
JERUSALEM (IPS) – Key issues in conflict between Israelis and Palestinians are all coming to a head. But, even if these immediate issues are resolved, in any event, the conflict itself and an overriding diplomatic paralysis threaten to take long-term hold and to stymie all efforts to move the conflict onto a peace track any time soon.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46231

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DEVELOPMENT: Troubled Waters Hard to Bridge
By Hilmi Toros
ISTANBUL (IPS) – The fifth World Water Forum (WWF) held in Istanbul ended Sunday with wide- ranging differences among governments and groups with an interest in water.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46227

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MIDEAST: Israel Under Pressure Over Divided Jerusalem
By Mel Frykberg
RAMALLAH (IPS) – By late Saturday afternoon hundreds of heavily armed Israeli security forces on horseback and on foot had arrested over 20 Palestinians, assaulted a handful of people, and prevented numerous festivities from taking place.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46250

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POLITICS-US: Censorship Seen in Exclusion of Foreign Scholars
By William Fisher
NEW YORK (IPS) – A leading legal rights group charged Tuesday that the Barack Obama Justice Department is using immigration law to censor debate by selectively barring U.S. entry to foreign scholars.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46252

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EGYPT: Pyramids may Rise Above the Recession
By Cam McGrath
CAIRO (IPS) – When tourism officials met at the start of the year to discuss the impact of the global financial crisis on Egypt’s tourism industry, the prognosis looked bleak. But now, three months into 2009, a better picture is emerging – and some experts believe the battened-down sector can weather the storm.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46245

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MIDEAST: Pressure Mounts on Egypt to Deliver Results
Analysis by Helena Cobban*
WASHINGTON (IPS) – Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak weathered the recent war in neighbouring Gaza much more successfully than many observers had expected, and after the war ended Jan. 18 he emerged as the sole mediator in negotiations over stabilising the ceasefire and other key related issues.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46213

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MIDEAST: Israelis Using ‘Excessive’ Force Against Protesters
By Mel Frykberg
RAMALLAH (IPS) – The critical wounding of a U.S. activist has highlighted the excessive use of force by Israeli forces.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46191

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MIDEAST: Palestinians Failing to Stitch the Split
By Adam Morrow and Khaled Moussa Al-Omrani
CAIRO (IPS) – Reconciliation talks between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah in Cairo this week yielded an agreement to hold national elections early next year. The two sides, however, remain deadlocked over the proposed terms of a national unity government.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46180

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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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