Corruption Perception Index - questions

The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for 2005 has just come out. Jordan is ranked 37th with score 5.4 out of 10. An increase from last year's 5.3, rank also 37.

Things that puzzle me:
1- Jordan is higher than Italy (5.0, rank 40)

2- Syria, Saudi, & Egypt are at 3.4, rank 70. Yet, Lebanon is at 3.1, rank 83!

3- Iran & India are at 2.9, rank 88. Both of these countries are industrial and have very strong universities. Interesting to see their ratings so low.

for more discussion on CPI, see Naseem Tarawneh's blog: http://www.black-iris.com/?p=52