Middle East Notes and Comment: The Least Bad Option

May 16, 2006

If the Hamas government fails in Palestine, much of the reason will be that virtually every single Arab government wants it to fail. Never mind the Bush Administration, which has its own reasons for watching Hamas fall flat on its face. It is Arab governments, struggling to maintain their legitimacy, that have the most to fear from a successful and popular Hamas government. If an elected Islamic government succeeds in the Palestinian Authority, the demonstration effect could shake the Middle East to its core.