The last few weeks have seen a sea change in the situation of two divided nations, Lebanon and the Koreas.

Israeli troops left Lebanon on May 24 after 22 years of occupation of southern Lebanon. Celebrations were in order on the north side of that border and the predicted violence against members of the South Lebanon Army - the pro Isreali Lebanese militias - did not take place. The Lebanese, although joyful at the reunion with family members and the release of prisoners held in Isreali jails north of the border, consider the withdrawal a redeployment as the Shebaa Farms continues under Israeli rule. The Hizbullah party stressed the need for continued resistance until that land is returned and also for the sake of the Lebanese detainees in side Israel. Hizbullah now is in the position of considering its future as a political party within Lebanon as that country closes a painful chapter of occupation during which at least 20,000 civiians, and some say as much as 50,000, lost their lives.

I'm tempted to say that the meeting of the two leaders of North and South Korea proves that two Kims are better than one but I won't. Six hundred thousand people lined the streets of Pyongyang to greet the President of South Korea. The two leaders signed the Pyongyand Joint Declaration that "perpetuates peace on Korean peninsula and may bring about eventual reunification of the divided country." President Kim of South Korea proposed the implementation of the 'Berlin Declaration', which calls for massive support of the North Korean economy. Washington is expected to ease its sanctions against North Korea by the 25th of June, though the possibility of American firms doing business in that country at this point seems remote. Overtures towards both China and Japan have been made by North Kore in recent weeks as that country moves towards re-integration into the region.

And finally Havez al Assad, President of Syria, died last weekend. As one of the strongest rules in the Middle East he has left a legacy. Robert Fisk, long-time Middle East correspondent for the London Independent reflects on the passing of the man as does the Syria Times.