AMMAN -- The Iraqi parliament convened on Monday to read a controversial security pact with the United States and debate how to vote on the accord, after the Iraqi cabinet approved the final draft following months of what both sides said were tough negotiations.

AMMAN -- As the Iraqi government struggles to finalize a crucial security pact with the United States that can be accepted by Iraqi leaders, it is also making diplomatic efforts to assure its neighbors and fellow Arab states that the accord is not as dangerous to their security and sovereignty as they fear.

"Be careful what you wish for, you may get it." U.S. officials involved in negotiating the Status of Forces Agreement, known as SOFA, with the Iraqi government might be forgiven if the old saying has been running through their heads a lot recently. The SOFA would set the terms on which U.S. forces operate in Iraq after Dec. 31 when the U.N. mandate, under which they currently function, expires.

A whole new world began Tuesday when Sen. Barack Obama won the U.S. presidential election: Expect some big changes in the Middle East, but expect some things to remain remarkably unchanged too.

AMMAN – Even as Iraqi forces take over security of one more province from U.S. troops, Baghdad is still attempting to negotiate a controversial security pact with the United States that Washington had already said was the final draft intended to legalize the U.S. military presence in Iraq beyond 2008.

MOSCOW -- The Iraqi council of ministers has decided to introduce new amendments to the draft of the U.S.-Iraqi strategic partnership agreement concerning the possible withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. This will inevitably result in the resumption of U.S.-Iraqi talks, despite the fact that the parties had already stated they reached a compromise that was to be officially adopted only.

As the United States and Iraq struggle to reach a firm agreement over the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq beyond 2011, there are signs that the Iranian regime is working in the shadows to pave the way for a complete U.S. withdrawal and Iranian domination of this fledgling democracy.

Saudi Arabia is involved in a very welcome diplomatic initiative aiding Pakistan at the moment. The George W. Bush administration, predictably, is furious that Riyadh has taken the lead in hosting peace talks between the embattled, U.S.-supported Afghan government of President Hamid Karzai and the resurgent Taliban.

AD-DULUYIAH, Iraq -- Najim Mahmoud Khalil al-Jabouri, a charismatic preacher in this town north of Balad, is a marked man. His body bears the scars of at least seven assassination attempts and it is likely he will end up with more.

AMMAN -- An Iraqi-U.S. security pact that would determine the presence of the U.S. forces in Iraq beyond the end of this year is hanging in the balance after Iraqi leaders refused to endorse what was to be the "final draft," as further negotiations are expected to be held to resolve the toughest issues on which neither side seems to be budging.