—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 Palestinians' Anger at PA, U.S. and Israel Continues To Grow Following Bush Visit—Jesse Rosenfeld

8 From Annapolis to Tel Aviv: Preaching, But Not Reaching—Mohammed Omer

10 In a Region Known for Its Hospitality, Gulf Editors Take Off the Gloves for Bush Visit—Delinda C. Hanley

12 Surge to Nowhere—Andrew J. Bacevich

19 Palestine Is Being Destroyed—Mark Braverman, Ph.D.

20 "Bringing Life to the Desert": Israel's Master Plan For Dispossession in the Negev—Isabelle Humphries

22 Seeing Palestine Through the Architecture of Domination—Brian Johnston

24 A Father Desperate to Save His Son's Life Asks Only for a Bit of Mercy—Mohammed Omer

25 Trial Date for AIPAC Defendants "Definitively" Fixed—Andrew I. Killgore

26 "Omnibus" Appropriations Bill Includes Millions for Palestinians, Billions for Israel—Shirl McArthur

Special Reports

14 The Assassination of Benazir Bhutto—Five Views—Eric Margolis, William Dalrymple, Paul Findley, Jim Lobe, Delinda C. Hanley

18 2007 Ends With Bhutto Assassination, Re-election Of BJP's Narendra Modi—M.M. Ali

28 Ralph Nader: An Unreasonable Man—James G. Abourezk

31 Will the New Year Bring a Welcome New Perspective on Iran?—Nina Hamedani

32 Negotiations on Palestine, Western Sahara Continue to Continue to Continue—Ian Williams

34 Bhutto's Assassination Called "Potentially Crippling Blow" to Pakistani Stability—Lucy Jones

36 Bosnian Crisis and Resolution: A Turn-around at Last, or More Chaos Ahead?—Peter Lippman

38 Washington-Ankara Rapprochement Doesn't Extend to Turkey's Kurds—John Gorvett

40 Islamism and Democracy in Egypt: Crossing Paths?—Damien Pieretti

42 Official U.S. Warms to Asian, Middle Eastern Government-Linked Funds—John Gee

78 In Memoriam: Florence Richards (1924-2007)—Pat McDonnell Twair

Departments

5 Letters to the Editor

44 New York City and Tri-State News: Mearsheimer and Walt Discuss The Israel Lobby at Princeton Book Forum—Jane Adas

46 Northern California Chronicle: Education-Minded Afghans, Pakistanis Urge Central Asia Institute to Build More Schools—Elaine Pasquini

48 Southern California Chronicle: Bush's Marginalization of Mideast Histories Led To Iraq War Mistakes, Says Fawaz Gerges—Pat and Samir Twair

50 Israel and Judaism: Abandoning Its Opposition to Jewish Nationalism, Reform Judaism Adopting a Zionist Worldview—Allan C. Brownfeld

52 Arab-American Activism

Ameen Rihani's Career Spent in East-West Dialogue

52 Music & Arts

Poetry of Peace Jam at USC
MESTO in Egypt
Master Marcel Khalife's Ensemble Mixes Tradition, Innovation
"Caramel" a Film Confection
Documentary "Bam 6.6" Premieres In Washington, DC
Abu Dhabi Launches Major Arabic Translation Initiative
David Roberts' Benefit at American Task Force on Palestine
D.C. Poets Against the War Recite at Haunting Botero Exhibition
Film Tackles Struggles of Bereaved Parents of Israel-Palestine Conflict

57 Human Rights

Islamic Center Addresses Media On Bhutto Assassination
Bay Area Women in Black Stand Silently in Union Square
"Waterboarding is Torture," Says San Francisco Activists

59 Diplomatic Doings

Dinner Honors Libya's First High-Level Official to Visit in 35 Years

59 Waging Peace

Dr. Ray Takeyh Discusses Iran
AAPG Hears Iran Experts
Lecture Marks 20th Anniversary of the Palestinian Intifada
Director of Tent of Nations Speaks at Interfaith Peace-Builders Event
Wilson Center Hosts Post-Annapolis Summit Debate
Christmas Procession for Bethlehem Follows Simulcast Service
Panelists Examine Peace Prospects
U.S. Policy in Lebanon and Syria Criticized by Distinguished Panelists
Libyan Ambassador Gives Keynote Address
Conference Reflects Growing Emergency, Divisions in Palestinian Strategy
Three Arrested at Huckabee's Iowa Campaign Headquarters

66 The World Looks at the Middle East—Cartoons

67 Other People's Mail

70 Book Reviews

"Rana's Wedding"
—Reviewed by Jamal Najjab

Persian Cooking for the Healthy Kitchen
—Reviewed by Nina Hamedani

71 New Arrivals From The AET Book Club

77 Bulletin Board

79 2007 AET Choir of Angels

82 Publishers' Page

13 Index to Advertisers