A collection of articles I read this morning but didn't have time to blog until now:

-China may have a nascent commercial press, but that's still no guarantee against state censorship and indefinite detention of outspoken writers.

-Did Saddam try to cut an 11th hour deal with the US to stave off an invasion?

-Speaking of Iraq, international NGOs continue to complain about the lack of transparency with which the Coalition is doling out aid money.

-Beirut's Daily Star concedes that, despite all its faults, Israel "at its worst is more democratic than any Arab regime at its best".

-Speaking of Israel, the Geneva Accord is a good indication that grassroots activism by moderate Arabs and Israelis may lead to peace. If only Sharon listens.

-The Supreme Court is looking into a case that may have ramifications over the power of federal courts to allow discovery by foreign courts.