Iraq
The Invisible Occupation
US troops have left Iraq's cities, and in two years they will leave the country. In reality, most of the "withdrawing" forces are merely relocating to forward operating bases where they appear to be hunkering down for a long entr'acte offstage in expensive, built-to-last facilities.

Media
Finding Their Voice
Social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook are playing an important role in allowing Iranian and Arab activists to reach others and mount challenges to authority in myriad ways.

Saudi Arabia
Heading Downstream
Having completed a series of major upstream oilfield developments, bringing capacity up to 12.5m barrels/day (b/d), Saudi Aramco is turning its attention to the refining sector.