BBC Monitoring Service

Since 11 September the stormy and often incomprehensible developments taking place in the entire world, as well as in our region, have caused serious anxiety in our neighbour Iran. [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] Georgia joins list of dangerous places where America wants a role [an error occurred while processing this directive]

The Daily Star

The forthcoming deployment of some 200 US "military advisers" to Georgia, in Russia's back yard, is ostensibly to put some backbone into beleaguered President Eduard Shevardnadze's military forces, to help him restore his government's authority over the lawless Pankisi Gorge ... [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] Guilt by Association [an error occurred while processing this directive]

La Times

Ramin Serry was only 10 years old when he became a target. It was Nov. 4, 1979, and 52 Americans were taken hostage in Iran. Although Serry, born in Chicago, had always thought of himself as an all-American kid, on that cool day in November he first realized he was not like everyone else. [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] A sight for sore eyes [an error occurred while processing this directive]

Ha'aretz

... Elie Abrahami, born in Iran 60 years ago, sells more art abroad than in Israel. His paintings have been acquired by the most important museums in the world, including the Metropolitan, Guggenheim and the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the British Museum in London, the Musee National d'Art Moderne in Paris ... [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] Vice President Cheney begins a Mideast tour on Sunday as Arab foreign ministers meet in Cairo. [an error occurred while processing this directive]

The Christian Science Monitor

If Saudi Arabia's Middle East peace initiative is carefully nurtured, analysts say, it could provide a viable framework for peacemaking. But its success depends on the kind of support the initiative receives from Arab states, the US government, and Israel's "peace camp" - those who favor a negotiated solution with the Palestinians. [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] Top Turkish general slams EU, calls for closer ties with Russia, Iran [an error occurred while processing this directive]

AP

A senior general said Thursday that Turkey's efforts to join the European Union were doomed to fail, and called for closer ties with Russia and Iran instead. Gen. Tuncer Kilinc -- head of the powerful National Security Council -- spoke of his doubts about the EU quest at a conference on Turkish foreign relations organized by the military. [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] Prince explains plan to PM's envoys [an error occurred while processing this directive]

The Jerusalem Post

JERUSALEM (March 8) - Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud met with representatives of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon this week and left the door open for more direct meetings in the future, the Prime Minister's Office confirmed yesterday. [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] The danger of a cornered Iraq [an error occurred while processing this directive]

The Daily Star

If one were to put oneself inside the mind of the Iraqi leadership at this particular moment, what would be the "rational" course of conduct to pursue, given the dire American threats being made daily against it? [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] RAF ready as US puts pressure on Saddam [an error occurred while processing this directive]

The Telegraph

AMERICA has been quietly building up forces in the Gulf in readiness for the coming campaign against Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq. The RAF has also moved Jaguar fighter bombers to Oman, ostensibly for exercises with the Omani air force. In the event of a conflict the aircraft could supplement Tornado and Jaguar bombers already based in Kuwait and Turkey. Although Washington has not yet decided how to unseat Saddam, the decision that he should be removed from power has already been made. US officials are firmly convinced that Britain will join the campaign, whatever the rhetoric from London. [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]