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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.