Anthony Shadid, Islamic Affairs correspondent of the Washington Post

The War and strife of Iraq are at the epicenter of a region in crisis. Lebanon, which endured a brutal civil war from 1975 to 1990, is again embroiled in conflict. Iran is viewed as ascendant by neighbors concerned about its ambitions. And Egypt seems stagnant in a way that has left many Egyptians disenchanted with prospects for Real democracy. Pulitzer-prize winning author Anthony Shadid describes a troubled Middle East.