In their quest for the Democratic nomination, the two men have often sounded quite similar on other key issues.

CNN: Bradley assails Gore over health policy

No less significantly, Mr Assad appears to be edging away from his previous all-out backing for Hamas, whose Damascus-based leaders have often sounded more intransigent than their beleaguered peers in Gaza.

ECONOMIST: Arab diplomacy and the Palestinians

Every so often Abdu had to press the horn, which sounded like an explosion in the narrow street.

NEWYORKER: Naima