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America has spoken. In fact, they're screaming it from the roof-tops - 'No more Iraq!' At least that's what they are saying if you read any of the London press over the last week.

Almost everyone seems to have a view on the meaning of the Democrat landslide in the US mid-term elections. There is almost a palpable air of relief that the direction of American politics in Iraq must surely now change. Almost everyone from the Doves to the Green Lobby (and even some of the Hawks) all sense that this could be the turning point, a time for new values and principles. For many this is the chance to end the war in Iraq. For others it’s just the start of a much needed new foreign policy. Others cite this as being the start of the end of Bush. Even others believe that America will start treating the concept of global warming a little more seriously.

Almost everyone has a view. Almost.

I have yet to see any reports or comments in the mainstream print media from the Arab or Muslim communities, either here or abroad. Certainly, if it’s being said in print, it’s being said very quietly. There have been no front page headlines for them.

Where are the reports from inside Iraq where (I’m certain) there have been many celebrations. What about in Palestine, Iran, Syria, Thailand, Pakistan?

Where are the reports of joy at ‘God’s Will’ and the ‘Downfall of Bush’ that have previously been expressed by extremists and terrorists?

At the time of writing, even the BBC website in an entry called “In quotes: International reaction” lists only four quotes and those are from the Danish Prime Minister, the European Commission President, the Japanese Prime Minister and the Italian Foreign Minister.

So, I have to ask why. It’s almost like there’s a news blackout. Almost.

I’m sure that if I searched enough on the Internet I would find some news, but on the newsagent’s stand I have found nothing. So, I searched the BBC.

I found a page entitled "Rumsfeld's departure pleases Arab press".

So, I searched Aljazeera.

On the Aljazeera website there are currently a number of polls being asked:

• "Will US Middle East policy change with the Democrats controlling Congress?" 56% say 'No'.
• "Did Saddam Hussein get a fair trial?" 56% say 'No'.
• "Is Iraq right to extend the presence of US forces for another year?" 59% say 'No'.
• "Should the US "cut and run" from Iraq?" 63% say 'Yes'.

I also found an old page discussing opinion on the upcoming elections.

Why is it so easy to find this information on the net but not on the newsstand?