The Middle East

What can the Dead Sea Scrolls tell modern theologians about 1st-century Judaism and the roots of Christianity? Drawing on the experiences of Frank Moore Cross, of Harvard University; Emanuel Tov, chief editor of the Dead Sea Scrolls Publication Project; James Charlesworth, of Princeton Theological Seminary; and other experts, this program describes the battle for open access to the scrolls while exploring the common heritage that links both faiths. In addition, Barbara Thiering airs her radical hypothesis. Footage of the Pope in Jerusalem and readings from the Dead Sea Scrolls Beatitudes and the Thanksgiving Scroll are included. (33 minutes)

The precarious hopes and daily struggles of Gaza strip residents are documented in this compelling program, which focuses on the 2003 summer ceasefire-a chapter of Israeli-Palestinian history filled with American ambivalence, disappointing prisoner releases, and the eventual disintegration of the ceasefire itself. A pacifist Gazan artist, his militant-minded son, and the pragmatic widow of a Hamas extremist all contribute to this street-level exploration of the summer's events-shedding light on the human and political consequences of the Israeli occupation, and clearly illustrating why Palestinian despair surpasses optimism. (Portions in Arabic with English subtitles, 50 minutes)

This Wide Angle documentary goes behind the scenes at al-Jazeera's broadcast headquarters in Qatar during its nonstop coverage of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The program highlights the Arab-language network's differences from its Western counterparts, yet also illustrates striking similarities between al-Jazeera's media sensibilities and those familiar to most Americans. The flow of world events is dramatically conveyed through the emotional rhythms of the newsroom: tension as network executives defend the broadcast of U.S. prisoners of war; fear and apprehension as a translator juggles Rumsfeld voice-overs with calls home to Iraq; and shock and grief following the death of the network's Baghdad correspondent, killed by U.S. artillery fire. This Wide Angle episode also features a discussion of Middle East democracy between anchor Jamie Rubin and Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations and former Director of Policy Planning for the U.S. State Department. (57 minutes)

In many Middle Eastern countries, honor is so highly prized that it is considered more valuable than life itself. This program examines the code of conduct that makes each woman a sacred vessel of her family's honor-and the practice of atoning for any family member's breach of that code with her blood. Scholars, judges, and clergymen discuss the culturally sanctioned practice of honorable murder," while fathers, brothers, and mothers talk about the communal pressure to adhere to the honor code and how the loss of daughters and sisters has affected their lives. Interviews with some of the "lucky" ones-women who were imprisoned rather than executed-are also included. (57 minutes)"

For Palestinian expatriate Edward Said, the return to his homeland amounted to a painful inquiry into his past. This program captures the interconnection between Said's personal recollections and the shared memory of the Palestinian people. Far from ignoring the contemporary realities of the Middle East, Said's perspective relates the ruins of history to the complacent and destructive policies of present-day governments, and delivers a powerful articulation of the weaknesses of the Oslo accords. His intellectual legacy provides valuable insight into the circumstances of the second intifada, as well as the faint steps toward peace that have followed. A BBCW Production. (50 minutes)

What, if anything, has American military power achieved in Iraq? What are the origins of the fractured nation's sectarian warfare? Are Iraqi security forces more dangerous than Islamist insurgents? This documentary features reports that U.S. and Iraqi government forces can be linked to the country's most dire security problems. Featuring interviews with high-ranking officials in the Interior Ministry and police chiefs in Mosul and Baghdad, the program investigates the actions of the so-called Wolf brigades, a U.S.-supported Shiite military group that participated in a number of anti-Sunni offensives and reportedly committed torture and other atrocities. The program also deals with other renegade militias, some trained by the same American operatives who allegedly created the Salvadoran death squads of the 1980s. (54 minutes)

Amal Amireh is a Muslim Palestinian who lived in Ramallah most of her life. In this program, Dr. Amireh, currently a member of the English department at George Mason University, talks with Bill Moyers about the hardships of life under Israeli military occupation. The occupation is not something abstract," she says; "it's something that affects people's lives daily. It's about resources...it's about water, about land, about jobs. That is what the occupation is." Suicide bombings and a two-state solution to the Palestinian/Israeli deadlock are also discussed. (27 minutes)"

Hostilities between Israelis and Palestinians continue to flare, while small-scale conflicts in postwar Iraq proceed unabated-will the bloodshed and anguish in the Middle East never end? In this special edition of NOW with Bill Moyers, the Aspen Institute and Moyers invite eight journalists and scholars to participate in a dialogue exploring the religious and political roots of these chronic troubles. Rich in information and constructive commentary, their conversation yields not only the context and history of the hatred but the outline of a viable future accord. (58 minutes)

In this special two-part series, the Aspen Institute and Bill Moyers assemble a panel of eight international journalists and scholars to examine the contexts and causes of the ongoing struggles in the Middle East. Their dialogue does not simply stop at an assessment of the religious and sociopolitical dynamics of the region, but goes on towards a formulation of a possible plan for peace. Panelists include Seyla Benhabib, the Eugene Meyer Professor of Political Philosophy at Yale University; Charles Krauthammer, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The Washington Post; and Fareed Zakaria, editor of Newsweek International. 2-part series, 58 minutes each.

Many Arab widows lead a cloistered and restricted life, often living below the poverty line. In 2003, eight widows in the Galilean village of Tamra started a daring business venture-the Azka Pickle Cooperative-seeking financial independence for themselves and their children. This Wide Angle report follows the women as they establish a tiny pickle factory and market their product to local stores. With little formal education or work experience, the women face numerous hurdles in their effort to expand the business into stores throughout Israel-while their personal lives reflect what is at stake for them financially, emotionally, and in the context of their culture. In addition, anchor Bill Moyers discusses global development and the Arab world with Azza Karam, Coordinator for the U.N. Arab Human Development Report. (57 minutes)

This engrossing documentary provides a historical overview of Shiites' religious suppression in Iraq-spanning 13 centuries-then enters the heart of Iraq's holy cities to see how Shiites initially react to recent spiritual liberties. It gives firsthand accounts of Saddam Hussein's merciless campaign against Shiites in Karbala during the Gulf War, and highlights the power struggle in Najaf's religious council. In addition, Shiites in the former capital city of Samarra make pilgrimages to honor Imam Muhammad Hasan al-Askari, who they believe will soon return, and those in Baghdad defend the Kadhimiya Mosque from what they feel is a growing American interference. (54 minutes)

Focusing on trade, education, and technological progress, this program outlines the late-20th-century history of the United Arab Emirates and details its emergence among the most advanced, liberal nations in the Middle East. Incorporating the recollections of elderly U.A.E. citizens who have witnessed sweeping changes within their lifetimes, the program also presents conversations with young professionals-including a stockbroker, a diplomat, and a satellite communications specialist-as well as students at Zayed University, a thriving institution for women only. The program emphasizes the visionary decision of former president Sheik Zayed to invest in education programs. (27 minutes)

Just a day after the cease-fire, news correspondents in this program journeyed into Baghdad to offer firsthand perspectives on the political, social, and religious fault lines exposed with the fall of Saddam Hussein. Balanced in its assessment, the program features interviews with Iraqi clerics, businessmen, scholars, and street protesters, as well as U.S. Army soldiers and their commanders, providing valuable insights into the complexities and problems that will play themselves out in the months and years to come. (46 minutes)

About 2,000 years ago, a group of people lived at Qumran, on the shore of the Dead Sea. Were they really the Essenes? And did the inhabitants write the more than 800 scrolls that were found there? In this program, Geza Vermes, of Oxford University; Lawrence Schiffman, of New York University; archaeologist Hanan Eshel; and other experts search for the answers. The startling counter-theories of Norman Golb and Yitzhar Hirschfeld are also considered. Close-ups of scroll and pottery fragments, footage of the dig at Qumran, models and drawings, and readings from the War Scroll, Temple Scroll, and Copper Scroll are included. (36 minutes)

An exclusive look inside a country that frequently resists scrutiny, this CNBC documentary provides a detailed analysis of Saudi Arabia's role-and future-as the world's largest oil producer. Focusing on the inner workings of the kingdom's government, as well as the influence and practices of corporate powerhouse Saudi Aramco, the program reveals economic predicaments faced by Saudi leaders and examines differing points of view concerning Aramco's data on projected oil supplies. Commentary comes from industry experts and Saudi officials-including analyst Matt Simmons and SEER president Michael Lynch; Saudi Aramco Senior Vice-President Abd Allah Al-Saif; and the country's oil minister, Ali al Naimi, who rarely grants interviews. Not available in French-speaking Canada. Original CNBC broadcast title: The Kingdom Built on Oil. (44 minutes)