The Middle East is getting worse. The Palestinians are essentially at civil war, and this does not bode well for the peace process because now Israel does not have a solid partner with whom to negotiate.
The conflict between Fatah and Hamas is complicated. Fatah, a secular, nationalist party, controls the West Bank. Hamas, an Islamist party, has the Gaza Strip. This is yet another example of a conflict that has been raging throughout the Muslim world between modern secularism and medieval fundamentalism. (Though there are other issues in play, such as a simple competition for power, as well.) It is also hard for a unified nation to form when the areas are not contiguous. But the Islamic world, in a nutshell, in the middle of what I’ve described as the true Clash of Civilizations.
If only the Palestinians could reform their government and respect the rule of law rather than the rule of gun.
