Report on Israeli Settlement in the Occupied Territories

Israel's imminent withdrawal from south Lebanon is setting into motion a number of changes in the regional strategic landscape, changes with the potential to create conditions for a historic dialogue or continuing confrontation between Israel and Iran.

The rush of enthusiasm that greeted the renewal of talks in December 1999 between Syrian foreign minister Farouk as-Sharaa and Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak has all but dissipated, and formal negotiations between Israel and Syria have been suspended. Nevertheless, both Israel and Syria are looking beyond an agreement to the kind of peace in the region that will be established in its wake.

The democratization of debate on nuclear weapons is one of the primary elements in their responsible use and deployment. However, the historic discussion of Israel's nuclear arsenal in the Knesset on February 2, 2000 was more a reflection of the prevailing official Israeli secrecy regarding nuclear issues than an informed policy debate.

Following are excerpts from the February 2, 2000, speech by Knesset Member Issam Makhoul of the Democratic Hadash Front during the debate in the Knesset on Israel's nuclear policy.

Golamhosain Karbasi, former mayor of Tehran, was recently released from prison after serving eight months of a two-year sentence for bribery and corruption. The popular politician's release, like his incarceration, is understood by many to reflect the continuing struggle for power between the two broad political camps that rule Iran today in an often uneasy partnership.

While international attention is focused on the final status talks between Israel and the Palestinians and the on-again, off-again talks between Israel and Syria, a far more fruitful, and in many respects more momentous, dialogue is being conducted between Israel and the Clinton administration on enhancing Israel's strategic deterrent capabilities.