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Discusses the possibility of a war between the United States and Iraq. How U.S. strategists have decided to move 100,000 soldiers into the Persian Gulf region; Consideration of the nuclear arms crisis in North Korea; Role of the United Nations weapons inspections team in Iraq; Requirement of Security Council Resolution 1441 that Iraq allow the questioning of Iraqi weapons workers.

Focuses on the United States relations with Saudi Arabia and the question of whether the U.S. will continue to rely on the Saudis for oil. Impact of anti-Americanism and sympathy for Osama bin Laden's cause that is prevalent in Saudi Arabia; Reluctance of Saudi Arabia to participate in a U.S. operation against Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein; Role of Wahhabism in breeding religious zealotry in Saudi Arabia.

Reports that although the United States portrays the regime of Iraq's Saddam Hussein as unstable, it appears that Hussein has not lost power in the country. Description of Hussein as an invisible ruler; Contention that Hussein possesses hidden chemical and biological weapons; The contradictions which seem to surround Hussein; Comparison of Iraq's military force in 1990 and 2001; How Hussein is working to undercut international support for a U.S. attack on him.

Discusses the June 1996 bombing in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, which killed 19 United States airmen and injured more than 50. Questions which the bombing raises about the American troops' safety, and about the safety of the Saudi regime; Diagrams of the bombing at the Khobar Towers complex; The Clinton administration's continued resolve to keep United States troops in Saudi Arabia as a defense.

Discusses the plans of the U.S. President George W. Bush administration to remove dictator Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq. U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney's statement that the issue was no longer if the U.S. would attack Iraq, but when the U.S. would attack; The lack of an effective way to move against Hussein; Activities which illustrate that that some kind of military action by the U.S. is under way.

Looks at the United States policy regarding Saddam Hussein, leader of Iraq. Threats of US air strikes against Iraq; US President Bill Clinton's signing of the Iraq Liberation Act; Aim of the act to depose Hussein; Criticism of the act from US government agencies; US support of the Iraqi National Congress opposition group. INSET: A Guerrilla D-Day.

The article examines how the U.S. would fight a possible war with Iran and its possible economic impact to the U.S. Although Iranian officials insist that Iran's ambitions are limited to nuclear energy, the regime has asserted its right to develop nuclear power and enrich uranium that could be used in bombs as an end in itself. But the nuclear program is not the only worry of the U.S. about Iran. Iran's backing of militant group Hizballah seems to be changing the Middle East balance of power.

Poses questions about possible U.S. military action against Iraq and Saddam Hussein. Consideration of whether military inspections would be enough to end the threat from weapons of mass destruction in Iraq; Analysis of how integral support from the United Nations is for a U.S. attack; Speculation about how long a war with Iraq would be; Questions about whether Saddam would use his weapons of mass destruction; Analysis for the future of Iraq if Saddam Hussein is ousted; Consideration of the effects in the Middle East of a war.

Focuses on the United States relations with Saudi Arabia and the question of whether the U.S. will continue to rely on the Saudis for oil. Impact of anti-Americanism and sympathy for Osama bin Laden's cause that is prevalent in Saudi Arabia; Reluctance of Saudi Arabia to participate in a U.S. operation against Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein; Role of Wahhabism in breeding religious zealotry in Saudi Arabia.

Explores the possibility of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein leaving the country to avoid a conflict in the Middle East. Suggestion that Arab nations are pushing for a plan to get the dictator out of Iraq; Reaction of Hussein to Arab envoy who suggested exile for the Iraqi leader; Scenarios discussed by Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal about exile for Hussein; Implications of avoiding war on U.S. relations with Middle East and Saudi Arabia; Views of analysts suggesting Hussein will not walk away without a fight.

Describes the rule of Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al Saud in Saudi Arabia. His recent visit to the United States; Illness of King Fahd since his 1995 stroke; Abdullah's leadership abilities; How he is viewed at home; Fundamentalist challenges to Abdullah in Saudi Arabia; His meetings with US oil companies; Foreign policy experience; His desire for Saudi Arabia to have a more assertive foreign role; Relations with Iran and the US. INSET: Abdullah speaks up.

Focuses on Syrian leader Bashar Assad, who is the son of the last Syrian leader Hafez Assad. Brief biography of Bashar Assad; Military relationship between Syria and Lebanon; Indications that Assad is focused on the Arab struggle against Israel and his actions that are considered anti-American; Discussion of the Golan Heights, which Israel captured in the 1967 war; View of Assad as an unseasoned politician who was reluctant to take control of Syria; How Assad's father was an antagonist to the United States.

Focuses on relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia in light of a visit by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah with President George W. Bush in Texas. Discussion of the U.S. need for good relations with Saudi Arabia in order to obtain an uninterrupted supply of oil and access to Saudi military bases should the U.S. decide to attack Iraq; Possible role of Turkey in a U.S. initiative against Saddam Hussein in Iraq.

Addresses the question of whether the United States can overthrow the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein. Estimated number of uniformed officers necessary to assure his downfall; Challenges, including deterring Hussein from launching biological weapons; Possible successors to Hussein, including Ahmad Chalabi and Nazar Khazraji.

Notes that the United States may have a highly ranked spy who is supplying information to Israel. The story in the `Washington Post' which spoke of electronic evidence gathered through phone taps; The role of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation; Details about the intercepted phone conversation which could point to a spy; How this revelation is impacting United States-Israel relations.

Reports on international reaction to the debate in the United States over a preemptive attack against Iraq. Alliance of British Prime Minister Tony Blair with U.S. President George W. Bush; Opposition of Nelson Mandela and German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder to war against Saddam Hussein; Discussion of the diplomatic environment at the United Nations and in the Muslim world concerning war with Iraq over his development of weapons of mass destruction.

Predicts global geopolitical trends for the year 2002. View that the United States risks provoking a serious backlash in the Arab world if it expands the war on terrorism from Afghanistan to the Middle East; Challenges to the success of the war on terrorism, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; Implications of possible U.S. military action against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein; Issue of how to define terrorism.

Focuses on the changes to relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States. Terrorists who have been aligned with the Saudi government, including Osama bin Laden; Social conditions in Saudi Arabia which may foster terrorist activity; Forecast that these conditions must improve or this movement toward radicalization will continue.

Discusses the role of Abdullah Gul, the Prime Minister of Turkey, in the diplomatic efforts to prevent a U.S. invasion of Iraq. How Turkey will host a meeting of regional leaders to discuss ways to persuade Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to cooperate with U.N. inspectors; Consideration of how Gul agreed in principle to allow U.S. troops to use Turkey as a base for launching strikes against Iraq; Need for a U.N. Security Council resolution declaring amnesty for Iraqi officials if they assist a transition of power.

Focuses on relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia in light of a visit by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah with President George W. Bush in Texas. Discussion of the U.S. need for good relations with Saudi Arabia in order to obtain an uninterrupted supply of oil and access to Saudi military bases should the U.S. decide to attack Iraq; Possible role of Turkey in a U.S. initiative against Saddam Hussein in Iraq.

Discusses how the United States-led campaign against international terrorism has exposed tensions in relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Background of U.S.-Saudi relations; Comment that the countries are openly cooperative, but that serious disagreements are growing between them; Mention of how terrorist Osama bin Laden is a native Saudi; Portrayal of Saudi Arabia in the U.S. media; Rise of militant anti-American sentiment among Saudis; Implications.