—Voices from the Sensible Center—

Interpreting the Middle East for North Americans—
Interpreting North America for the Middle East

The U.S., Iraq, and the Israeli Occupation of Palestine

7 U.S. Effort to "Spread Democracy" Leaves a Trail of Conflict and Suffering—Rachelle Marshall

10 Israeli Extremists Lose, as a New Generation of Palestinians Wins—Mohammed Omer

10 Rachel Corrie: The Beautiful Face of America—Mohammed Omer

12 Sharon's Gaza "Disengagement" Plan—Two Views—Uri Avnery, Mohammed Omer

14 An Updated List of Vetoes Cast by the United States to Shield Israel From Criticism by the U.N. Security Council—Donald Neff

16 Senate Vote Postponed After Acrimonious Bolton Confirmation Hearing—Richard H. Curtiss

18 Intended Insult or Not, a U.N. Ambassador Bolton Sure to Further Isolate Washington—Ian Williams

21 FBI Investigation of AIPAC: Are Indictments in the Works?—Andrew I. Killgore

22 Rep. Henry Hyde (R-IL) Fights for Holy Land's Overlooked Christians—Robert Novak

23 Because of Jurors' Bias, Dr. Sami Al-Arian's Upcoming Trial May Not Be a Fair One—Melva Underbakke

24 Jenin at Last: A Journey Across the Roof of Palestine—Anne Gwynne

28 Congress Watch: House Tries to Restrict Aid for Palestinians—Shirl McArthur

30 USS Liberty—38 Years and Counting—James M. Ennes, Jr.

Special Reports

32 Peace in Palestine Conference Proclaims New Initiative for Global "South"—John Gee

34 Arab Press Review: Giving Voice to the Arab League: Who Failed?—Peter C. Valenti

36 Washington Opens Up Its Military Hardware Shop To Both India and Pakistan—M.M. Ali

41 In Memoriam: Thomas Reynolds Stauffer, Ph.D.—Donald Alford Weadon, Jr.

42 American Archaeologist Authenticates Afghanistan's Recovered National Treasures—Pat McDonnell Twair

Departments

5 Letters to the Editor

40 Education: Amid Other Attacks on Academic Freedom, Columbia Crisis Continues—Robert Gaines

44 New York City and Tri-State News: Journalist Yvonne Ridley's Eyewitness Account of Afghanistan—Jane Adas

46 Southern California Chronicle: USC Media Panel Examines Spin, Corporate Takeovers and Challenge of Internet—Pat and Samir Twair

50 Northern California Chronicle: It's Time to End This War," Says Rep. Lynn Woolsey—Elaine Pasquini

52 Northwest News: Challenged on Its Mideast Coverage, Oregonian News Editors Cite AP Inaccuracies—Sister Elaine Kelley

54 The World Looks at the Middle East—Cartoons

55 Other People's Mail

58 Arab-American Activism: Arabic Music in the Heartland

58 Muslim-American Activism: MPAC Addresses State Department Forum on Terrorist Financing

59 Campus Activism: Arab Studies Programs Under Threat

62 Waging Peace: An Open Letter to the President

70 Diplomatic Doings: Ambassadors Forum on Capitol Hill Examines Peace Prospects

74 Book and Video Reviews: Wahhabi Islam Women in Struggle—Reviewed by Sara Powell

75 AET Book Club Catalog

80 2005 AET Choir of Angels

81 Middle East Marketplace

82 Publishers' Page

33 Index to Advertisers