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Saturday, July 31, 2010   9:41 GMT

Stories by Helena Cobban

Helena Cobban has done journalism, research, and peacemaking on Middle Eastern issues since 1975 and was a longtime contributor to The Christian Science Monitor (Boston) and Al-Hayat (London). She blogs at JustWorldNews.org

IRAQ
 U.S. Diplomatic Adviser's Troubling Role in Oil Politics
Analysis by Helena Cobban*
In 2003, U.S. diplomatist Peter Galbraith resigned at the end of a distinguished, 24-year government career. Over the years that followed, he worked as a contract-based adviser to leaders in Iraq's Kurdish community, while also arguing passionately in public media that Iraq's Kurds should be given maximum independence from Baghdad - including full control over any new sources of oil.

MIDEAST
 U.S. Strategy in Doubt as Abbas Loses Popular Support
Analysis by Helena Cobban*
Just two months ago, many western commentators were jubilant that Mahmoud Abbas, the U.S.-supported head of both the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and the interim Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority (PA), was making a comeback and reducing the influence in Palestinian society of the Islamist movement Hamas.

US-MIDEAST
 A Week of Dimming Peace Prospects
Analysis by Helena Cobban*
Eight months after Barack Obama launched his presidency by promising a speedy push for Palestinian-Israeli peace, that effort has stalled badly. And there are now growing fears that the top levels of Obama's peace team are torn by internal disagreements that may undermine the whole peace effort.

POLITICS
 Obama and Netanyahu Still Tussling over Priorities
Analysis by Helena Cobban*
As world leaders prepare to gather here for the all-star &com;general debate&com; at the U.N. General Assembly on Sep. 23, two of them - U.S. Pres. Barack Obama and Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu - are still tussling over whether to prioritise their anti-Iran campaign or the push for a Palestinian-Israeli peace.

MIDEAST
 NGO Reports on Gaza War Belie Israeli Claims
Analysis by Helena Cobban*
This week, two respected human rights organisations - one Palestinian, one Israeli - each came out with very full reports into the extent of the damage caused by the assault Israel waged against Gaza last winter.

IRAQ
 Stormy Times as U.S. Withdraws
Analysis by Helena Cobban
Political violence in Iraq killed 456 Iraqis in August, the highest monthly death toll since July 2008. And with the U.S. showing no sign it plans to reverse the troop withdrawal that is now well underway, numerous struggles for power are shaping up inside Iraq.

MIDEAST
 Can Final Peace Deal Overcome Settlements Roadblock?
Analysis by Helena Cobban*
The Barack Obama administration - perhaps the president himself - will reportedly be launching a new round of authoritative Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations sometime during the upcoming U.N. General Assembly session, which is scheduled to start in New York on Sep. 15.

MIDEAST
 Republicans Attack Obama on Palestine Policy
Analysis by Helena Cobban*
Former Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee has been in Israel and the occupied West Bank this week, stridently criticising Pres. Barack Obama's policies of pushing for an Israeli settlement freeze and the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

MIDEAST
 Big Challenges Ahead for Mahmoud Abbas
Analysis by Helena Cobban*
Mahmoud Abbas, the 74-year-old leader of the Palestinian Fatah movement, registered a significant achievement in holding the movement's Sixth General Conference, which has been wrapping up its business in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank this week.

POLITICS
 Saudi Arabia May Not Follow Obama's Plan
Analysis by Helena Cobban*
Pro-Israeli lobbyists here won the support of 77 senators (out of 100) for a letter sent to President Barack Obama that urged him to &com;press Arab leaders&com; to consider making dramatic, upfront peace overtures to Israel.
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