EVEN at the best of times, interpreting political events in the Middle East can be like standing in a room full of revolving mirrors. No sooner do you think you have an issue or event in perspective, than it twists or shifts like a kaleidoscope.

Such has been the case with Syria and Lebanon over the last few weeks. Are Syrian troops staying or going from Lebanon?

Yesterday, the Syrians did indeed appear to be leaving. But, despite this, US political pressure on Damascus is likely to continue.

Inside Syria itself, reaction to this political strain is now the latest subject of speculation. Will Syrian President Bashar al-Assad survive, or is there a force for change growing within the country? Hugh Macleod goes on to the streets of Damascus in search of answers.

Political pressure is also the order of the day in France. On the very day the International Olympic Committee was giving Paris the once-over as a possible host for the games, thousands took to the streets to voice a myriad of grievances. Those advocating a "no" vote in the upcoming referendum on the EU constitution no doubt caught the worried eye of President Jacques Chirac. But, as Hugh Schofield reports, the political disquiet runs much deeper than that.

Far from the boulevards, explorer Tom Avery has been preparing to follow in the footsteps of his famous polar predecessor Robert Peary. Between huskie feeding times, Paul Gains talked to Avery about his daunting mission.

And far from the frozen wastes, "it's good to talk" seems to be the message coming out of Africa. If given the chance, writes Fred Bridgland, there seems little doubt that a massive economic boost could come from the mobile phone revolution that is sweeping the continent. In a week that saw Tony Blair's Commission for Africa make its recommendations, perhaps there is a lesson here: that it's also good to listen when Africans themselves tell us what they need.