1. Hot Spots 4 Southwest Asia Group 6

2. Introduction Major issue Domestic Relations Minor issues International Relations Violence

4. Major Issue: Domestic Relations Palestine Fatah and Hamas deal for unity government – too good to be true? “Quartet” will not accept proposed government “What is happening now is a problem between the Palestinians themselves, and it is impossible for the Palestinian side to sit with the Israelis, as they are still not agreeing with each other.” – President Mubarak www.shanghaidaily.com/.../20070209_30 5832_01.jpg

5. Major Issue: Domestic Relations Iraq Shiite cult leader plots to kill fellow Shiite clerics Iraq refugee crisis Sunnis vs Shiites Lebanon Pro-Syrian vs. Anti-Syrian influence Government supporters vs. Hezbollah supporters Anniversary of Rafik Hariri’s assasination – reminder of 15-year civil war? http://www.arikah.net/encyclopedia/imag es/8/85/Rafik_hariri_alta.jpg

6. Minor Issue: International Relations Iraq and Iran US officials believe that Iran is providing Iraqis with weapons and explosives “We deny such charges. We ask those who are claiming such evidence: Show the documents in public…It is not our policy to be involved in and hostile operations against coalition forces here…” - Washington Post http://img.servihoo.com/kinews/AFP/SGE.I BY91.140107213204.photo00.quicklook.de fault-245x189.jpg

7. Minor Issue: International Relations “The increasingly common arrangement for sick or wounded Iraqis to receive treatment in Iran is just one strand in a burgeoning relationship between these two Persian Gulf contries…Iran exports electricity and refined oil products to Iraq, and Iraqi vendors sell Iranian-made cars, air coolers, plastics and black flags, decorated with colorful script…” - The Washington Post

8. Minor Issue: Violence Iraq Bodies of 14 policemen found near Baghdad al-Qaeda-linked group kidnaps 18 interior ministry employees Continuous EEP bombings US soldiers enter Sadr City for house-to-house searches Palestine Suicide bomber kills 3 in Israel www.news14charlotte.com

9. Minor Issue: Violence Hope? Possibility of factional violence (Hamas vs. Fatah) coming to end Early February: deal between Fatah/Hamas for unity government “A Hamas-Fatah government should at least end the plague of factional violence” Peace Rallies In Lebanon Plan for Arab peace deal with Israel

10. Minor Issue: Violence Israel May have violated US rules for cluster bombs Israel/Iran nuclear tension