All Policy Analysis by Yossi Baidatz

A detailed look at the first year of Bashar al-Asad's often-unpredictable regime.

A preview of Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri's first visit to Washington since returning to office in September 2000.

The behind-the-scenes conflict between liberal and illiberal forces within Lebanon's political structure is spilling into public view.

Rather than exploiting the Israeli withdrawal from the "security zone" in May 2000 to focus on internal Lebanese politics, Hizballah is maintaining its military strategy against Israel at the risk of triggering a full-scale war.

The kidnapping of IDF soldiers from the Israel-Lebanon border presents Washington with its first opportunity to test the intentions and capabilities of Syria's new and inexperienced president, Bashar al-Asad.