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How should one characterize the U.S. war of 2003? Was it a "liberation" of millions of people from tyranny, or a much hated "occupation"? This essay reflects on how the Interim Governing Council (IGC)—formed following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and the removal of Saddam Hussein—conflated "democracy" with "representation" based on muhassasa (the practice of filling key government posts by "consensus" of the major-party bosses, using sectarian or ethnic criteria). This arrangement of the IGC proved ripe for corruption. Post-2003, identity politics continued to shape the outlook of Iraq's political elite, but today a new generation has begun making itself heard. This generation believes in Iraq as a nation and understands democracy as more than a source of spoils to be divided among groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article comments on the U.S.-led Iraq War and the prospects for politics and government in Iraq in the future. It is expected that the coming years will show whether the intervention of the U.S. in Iraq will bring the Arab world its first modern constitutional democracy or instigate a protracted civil war and disintegration in Iraq.

An essay is presented on the life and works of Hannah Arendt. It offers impact and origin of the artist concerning its political and intellectual perceptions. The author relates on Arendt's inquiry towards the context and how the issues perceive in a particular method as well as the remarkable views on the creativity.

Focuses on the rebuilding of Iraq after the removal of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and the commitment of the United States in securing a transition to and consolidation of democracy in the country. Federalism in Iraq; Ethnicity and statehood; Demilitarization after the depose of President Hussein's regime.

Discusses reasons why most Arabs and some Muslims have not yet come to terms with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Argument that the attacks were an outgrowth of the problems of the modern Middle East; Speculation on what motivated the terrorists to act as they did; Reasons why Osama bin Laden, the alleged mastermind of the attacks, hates the U.S. as much as he does.

Argues that toleration is the first principle of all human rights. Rise of tolerance in Europe; Information on cruelty in the Middle East; Negative view of toleration in Arab-Muslim practice.

Discusses how circumstances of war and irrational violence can actively engender acts of extreme cruelty and compassion among human beings. Examination of tolerance's ascendancy in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries; Contemporary parallels in Lebanon, Somalia and former Yugoslavia; Effect of Gulf War upon evolution of tolerance; Decline of ideologies obliterating distinctions between revolution and democracy.

Addresses questions regarding Islam's migration toward tolerance in the face of the West's parallel move toward pluralism. Possible alternatives; Articles by Kanan Makiya; Tahar Ben Jalloun; Fourazi Charfi and Tariq Banuri.

An excerpt from the book "Cruelty and Silence: War, Tyranny, Uprising and the Arab World," by Kanan Makiya is presented.

The article discusses issues related to the emergence of the process of substituting Islamic references for secular-nationalist ones in Arab countries. Since the Gulf War, a new kind of writing in some Arabic newspapers has appeared, resulting to the exploration of the concept of toleration with reference to the question of whether it contains a usable past that can anchor it in the Arab-Muslim tradition. While the concept of toleration may not have pressing necessity at earlier phases of Arab socio-political development, an increasing number of Arabs are finding it in the current world.

The article presents a discussion of the current political systems in Iraq, adapted from a conversation with Shiite author Kanan Makiya. It has been viewed that the Iraqi political system has forged its concern on the constitution. The closing down of its political process has been attributed to the division of its people, majority of whom were against the constitution's amendment. The Shiite majority has been seen to take part of implementing the rules they would see to fit future governance.

Discusses the social significance of patriotic monuments built in Baghdad, Iraq in relation to public spaces. Monuments erected by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein; Privatization of space for monument construction; Loss of the public realm; Kitsch in Iraqi architecture; Usurpation of the street by the efficiency of a tyrant. INSET: Forgetting Beirut, by Kanan Makiya..

Examines the reasons for Saddam Hussein's continued dominance in Iraq in the post-Gulf War era. Lack of understanding of the Arab mentality; Failure of former United States President George Bush to remove Hussein; Concept of `face'; United Nations Resolution 688; Incident in Basra; Actions by the Republican Guard; Scrutiny by Amnesty, International; The `lost ones of Anfal'; Actions by President Bill Clinton and the Iraqi National Congress.

Comments on the theme political victimhood evident in Iraq's foreign relations. Explanation of how victims and victimizers in the nation's political structure can change places with ease; Comparison of the country's political victimhood with similar incidents in the Middle East.