Palestinian reconciliation ...?

Was the recent accord signed between Fatah and Hamas provoked by a genuine change of heart or merely another consequence of the Arab Spring? ICG delves into the key issues in a new report here.

Jordan: barriers to reform

Suleiman al-Khalidi of Reuters has a good round-up here of the pressures facing Jordan in the current Arab Spring (read: static summer) and the obstructionist policies of the country's old guard to ensure their interests, and not those of the state, remain protected at any cost.

Egypt and Palestine

Helena Cobban has a good piece here on what has, or has not changed in Gaza as a result of the Egyptian uprising.