(Foreign Policy) Aaron David Miller - Let's not have any illusions: The deal for kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was self-contained; it offers no first phase of a broader political deal between Israel and Hamas. For Hamas, the deal makes enormous sense. The organization is increasingly unpopular in Gaza, having failed to deliver a better economy, freedom of movement, or relief from taxes; it needed a lift. As Abbas grabs the center stage at the UN with a faux statehood initiative, Hamas delivers concrete gains at home.
2011-10-17 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive