The Middle East, overshadowed by violence in Iraq, receives renewed attention this week as President George W. Bush launches a new round of diplomacy to lay the groundwork for Israel's withdrawal of settlements from the Gaza Strip.
Mr Bush is to meet today at his central Texas ranch with Egyptian President Mr Hosni Mubarak, one of Washington's closest allies in the Arab world. Mr Mubarak is on his first visit to the US in two years.
Besides Israeli-Palestinian peace prospects, Mr Bush and Mr Mubarak are expected to talk about the chaotic situation in Iraq, where mounting casualties and bloodshed raise questions about a US pledge to transfer sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government by June 30th.
They will also discuss Bush's Greater Middle East initiative, which calls for political and economic reforms in the region. Mr Mubarak has warned the United States against trying to impose a ready-made solution on the entire Middle East.
Upon his return to Washington, Mr Bush will hold talks on Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Former President Jimmy Carter said last week that Bush's government was linked too closely to that of Mr Sharon and needed a more even-handed approach.