The Iraqis are still unable to reach a consensus on the federalization of their nation, as called for in their constitution. This is primarily because it is not in the interest of the Sunni tribes to see the Shiites take almost total control over their oil-rich southern part of the country, with the Kurds in control of their oil-rich northern part of the country, leaving the Sunni tribes in possession of their oil-poor central part of the country. Secondarily, it is not yet in the interest of Moqtada al-Sadr, who is working to block the federalization, because, IMHO, he wants to be dictator of the whole country.

Meanwhile, U.S. Army units in Iraq are finding that the sectarian allegiances of Iraqi soldiers are making them less effective in the effort to secure Baghdad. At the same time, U.S. Army units in the States getting ready to deploy to Iraq are finding it difficult to reach a proper state of readiness due to shortages in equipment.

Some Israeli settlers in the West Bank are breathing a sigh of relief at the political weakness of the Israeli government in the wake of the Israeli-Hezbollah war. It seems highly unlikely that the settlers will be forced to abandon their homes anytime soon. Meanwhile, across the border in Lebanon, it seems that the U.N. force is something of a joke, due to its limited power to do anything.

In Iran, hard-line clerics are angling to achieve even greater power with the upcoming election to the Assembly of Experts. Amir Taheri sees a growing danger from Iran due, in part, to the betrayal of French President Jacques Chirac.