#15 Arab Leaders Ready to Accept Israel?

At the end of a Spanish-Arab conference in Madrid, the Foreign Ministers of seven Arab countries (Syria, Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia) issued a joint statement expressing their desire to "advance together toward recognition and normalization of relations with Israel." In the statement, the officials expressed their hope that the Mecca agreement signed between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah would lead to the establishment of a national unity government in the Palestinian Authority, "which could contribute to finding a solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." If meaningful, this is an extremely welcome step to creating a more sensible mind frame in the tumultuous region.

#14 Cheney Critical of China

China's recent anti-satellite weapons test and its continued military buildup are "not consistent" with its stated aim of a peaceful rise as a global power, Vice President Dick Cheney said Friday. Cheney praised China for playing an "especially important" role in the negotiations that resulted in the North Korea deal, under which the North is to seal its main nuclear reactor and allow international inspections in exchange for fuel oil. "Other actions by the Chinese government send a different message," Cheney told the Australian-American Leadership Dialogue, a private organization that promotes ties between the two countries. "Last month's anti-satellite test, China's continued fast-paced military buildup are less constructive and are not consistent with China's stated goal of a peaceful rise," he said.

#13 Lebanon Wakes up to Another "Terrorble" Day

A day before the anniversary of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri, two bombings hit buses near Christian mountain town of Bikfaya, the home town of former President Amin Gemayel. In a sick twist of irony, Amil Gemayel is the man whose son, Pierre Gemayel, was assassinated in November last year. Three people were killed and at least twenty wounded in the two explosions that occurred in minibuses on the road to Bikfaya.

#12 Former Malaysian Prime Minsiter Praises Iraqi Insurgents

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad congratulated Iraqi insurgents in a recent speech, saying he had the right to express his opinions. Dr Mahathir applauded the insurgents, urging them to ensure the US paid a "high price" for its invasion of Iraq.

Malaysia's immediate reaction came from Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, who said "I think (Dr Mahathir) has taken that approach and I would not say that the Government supports nor objects to it," adding that Dr Mahathir was free to express his views as a citizen of Malaysia; "This is a free and democratic country and it's very nice to see freedom being exercised."

Dr. Mahathir's outburst on Wednesday came as he convened an alternative war crimes tribunal, which he has spearheaded for alleged victims of abuse in Iraq, the Palestinian territories and Lebanon. He has also condemned US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair as "child killers" and "war criminals."

This is not the first time Mahatir Mohamed has made such statements. He called President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair war criminals with more Iraqi blood on their hands than Saddam Hussein on a number of occasions, telling reporters at his Malaysian peace foundation that Bush should face the same "sham" justice as Saddam. "He (Bush) should resign straight away and be tried by the same kangaroo court," Mahathir told a news conference called to promote a peace conference he is hosting in Malaysia.

#11 Israei and Lebanese Troops Exchange Fire

Israeli and Lebanese troops have exchanged fire. Lebanese troops deployed along the border with Israel opened fire late Wednesday as Israeli troops searched for Hezbollah bombs, drawing retaliatory fire, officials from both sides said.

This was the first time that shooting erupted across the border since shortly after an Aug. 14 cease-fire that ended a 34-day war between Israeli forces and the Lebanese Hezbollah militants. Lebanese troops fired volleys of machine guns toward the bulldozer after it crossed the so-called Blue Line — the U.N.-demarcated boundary — and entered about 20 yards into Lebanon, Lebanese officials said. Israeli troops responded with tanks and light weapons.

The Israelis were searching for more explosives, as Israel Defense Forces soldiers on Monday uncovered four devices in the Avivim area in northern Israel, about 60 meters north of the border with Lebanon. It is estimated that the devices were planted recently in order to target IDF troops. The Israeli army said troops operating in Israeli territory along the frontier came under fire, and that the source of the shooting was apparently Lebanese troops nearby. When the attackers refused to quit firing, the Israeli troops opened fire at them.

According to the army, the bulldozers crossed the heavily guarded border fence but remained inside Israeli territory, which extends north of the fence in that area. Lebanese officials contend the Israelis were across the border when fired at.

#10 Turkish Nationalist Hero

17-year-old Turkish nationalist, Ogun Samas, who is charged with the murder of Hrant Dink, a 52-year-old ethnic Armenian journalist who had angered Turkish nationalists with repeated assertions that the mass killings of Armenians around the time of World War I was genocide, was captured on tape with the Turkish flag and security officials after his arrest.

The fact that the smiling officers were posing with the confessed murderer caused a major stir, as newspapers denounced the officers for treating the suspect as a "hero." The photographs show 17-year-old nationalist Ogun Samast holding out a Turkish flag and posing with officers, some in uniform. Behind Samast, a poster with another Turkish flag carries the words of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the revered founder of modern Turkey: "The nation´s land is sacred. It cannot be left to fate."

#9 "Yellow Fever" in Sudan

China is not often a forerunner when it comes to dealing with foreign crises. However, in recent months it seems China has awoken from her usual regional focus. With President Hu currently touring Africa, China is at the forefront of stabilizing efforts in Sudan. And for good reason: nearly half a million barrels of oil are imported directly from Sudan on a daily basis.

As China's hunger for resources grow, it realizes it needs to pursue active diplomacy in resource rich countries. After trade deals with Venezuela, China has shifted its attention to Africa, where it can buy influence cheaply. While Europe and the US have chosen to focus their attention on areas other than Africa first, China has been very active indeed. For a deeper look at some of the factors at play, please have a look at "Africa: China's Training Ground."

With the EU and the US distracted elsewhere, let us hope China's influence can be a force for bringing peace and stability to the region.

#8 Cambodia Bans Foreign Football (Soccer) Players

You would think that sport teams seek to field the strongest side possible, right? Well, not in Cambodia.

Cambodia has banned foreign players from taking part in the Hun Sen Cup (named after the country's long-serving prime minister) competition for being "too good." Rather than learning from these apparently more talented foreign players, the organizers of the Cup have decided that the best way for Cambodian football to improve is to incubate Cambodian players from a higher level of the game.

Sao Sokha, chairman of the Cambodian Football Federation, justified the decision by noting that "They're taller, stronger and more experienced, so it's unfair if we let them play...They're too good compared with Cambodian players."

The ruling means that mainly North Korean, Nigerian and Brazilian imports will have to sit it out until May before the new league season begins.

#7 Palestinian Security Arrests Iranians

While there was little doubt that Iran actively worked against Israel's interests through the financing of terror activities and the use of Hezbollah as a proxy, it now appears that there can no longer be any question about Iranian involvement in the Palestinian territories either.

Palestinian security forces have arrested seven Iranians during a raid at the Hamas-linked Islamic University in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian security forces (affiliated with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas) said the men were sent by Iran to train Hamas and hundreds of weapons and a lathe for the production of Qassam rockets were seized during the raid.

In other signs that confrontation with Iran has begun, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have threatened to kidnap American citizens. This threat comes in the aftermath of the arrest of a group of Iranian nationals in Iraq by US forces.

#6 A New Dictator?

The powers Chavez has wanted for so long have finally been granted to him: the power to legislate by decree.

Now Chavez has a free hand to bring under state control the oil and natural gas projects still run by private companies in Venezuela. Chavez has said companies upgrading heavy oil in the Orinoco River basin — British Petroleum PLC, Exxon Mobil Corp., Chevron Corp., ConocoPhillips Co., Total SA and Statoil ASA — must submit to state-controlled joint ventures. The new law enables Chavez to unilaterally "regulate" this transition if companies don't agree to the new framework within an unspecified "peremptory period."

In short, Chavez gains free rein in Venezuela.