This collection of essays provides an insight into, and critical analysis of, a media phenomenon that persists in defying understanding. The book sheds light on various aspects of the network, including its politics, coverage of regional crises, and its treatment of the West.

Includes index.

Al Jazeera and the vicissitudes of the new Arab mediascape /Mohamed Zayani -- The politics of Al Jazeera or the diplomacy of Doha / Olivier Da Lage -- Influence without power : Al Jazeera and the Arab public sphere / Mohammed El Oifi -- Aljazerra.net : identity choices and the logic of the media / Gloria Awad -- The Opposite Direction : a program which changed the face of Arab television / Faisal Al Kasim -- Media Brinkmanship in the Arab world : Al Jazeera's The Opposite Direction as a fighting arena / Muhammad I. Ayish -- Women, development and Al Jazeera : a balance sheet / Naomi Sakr -- Al Jazeera and the war in Afghanistan : a delivery system or a mouthpiece? / Ehab Y. Bessaiso -- Witnessing the Intifada : Al Jazeera's coverage of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict / Mohamed Zayani -- Al Jazeera and American public diplomacy : a dance of intercultural (mis- )communication / R.S. Zaharna.