I really believed in the two-state solution.

The US and Israel are aware of a possible security arrangement in the Gulf between Iran and the Arabs and there is nothing more they both fear of happening.

To make such an arrangement impossible, the US and Israel are concentrating their efforts in spreading sectarian violence in the region between Shia and Sunnis (as in Iraq and Lebanon). Not surprisingly did the King of Jordan start to talk last year about the "threat of a Shia Crescent" and the president of Egypt accused Lebanese Shia to be Loyal to Iran and not Lebanon.

The US and Israel are in search for another Saddam in the region who can be used as a puppet and counter Iran militarily.

It is not in our (Arabs) interest to confront Iran and be a hostile neighbor to it. American and Israeli hegemony in the region is far more dangerous than Iran's nuclear ambitions. I wish Arab leaders would start to uphold the interests of their people instead of their own narrow interests.

I agree that some countries like Jordan and Egypt are entirely on America's leash, and have nothing to say. But for example, what if the gulf countries decided to enter a "security arangement" with Iran? Start sharing nuclear technology? Tell America to move their bases elsewhere? Start adopting a more hardline foreign policy, (like Abdullah of Saudi Arabia seems to be attempting)? I think they have room to maneuver and have an obligation as Muslims to do so.

And you are right, there has been a huge psychological shift in recent years in the realization that the Israeli and indeed even the US military CAN be defeated. I think that fact is still sinking in with the public and the consequences will be enormous for all of us.

Hi Iman,

These Arab gov. can not defy the US because their existence is based on US support for the survival for their regimes. In Jordan and Egypt the national army is used to protect the regime from its own people and not to stand in confrontation with Israel or at least provide logistical help for the resistance in Palestine.

These regimes are afraid to admit the 1st victory for Hamas last year when Israel retreated from its illegal settlements around the Gaza strip and when Hezbollah won Last summers imposed war by Israel. They can not admit it because they do not want their people to know that a real armed resistance movement can force Israel to accept Arab rights. The notion that the Israeli army is unbeatable and superior to all Arabs is a false perception and is only propagated and advertised by the Israelis and sadly some Arab gov. In fact these Arab govs. remind us more than the Israelis about how great and strong the Israeli military is. Nobody has a doubt that they are strong but they are not invincible. Hezbollah and Hamas have proven that with good organization, determination and fighting spirit anything is possible in the battle field.

We all should get out this fake perception that Israel is greater than us and can beat us anytime and anywhere it likes. Interestingly the Israelis are using the same method of control (Psychological warfare) as the Crusaders did 1000 years before them. The method of control is to ignite wide spread fear into the local population and portray yourself as a Super foe! It worked well for the Crusades until a few Muslim resistance groups (known as the "Hash'ashin") challenged this perception and began concentrated hit and run attacks on Crusader knights and outposts. The success of these groups helped the Arab and Muslim fighters to realize that the crusaders are not a Super foe and once they got united behind Salah al-Din, the Crusaders days were counted in the Holy Land.

It is true that many Arab govts are the enemy of the Palestinians, in the sense of supporting Israeli and US interests in the area. Lots of talk and throwing nickles and dimes here and there. I mean, it is beyond my comprehension why Arab govts are going along with the Western financial embargo. If they had any cajones at all,they would see that the US is in a very weak position now and they could, in my opinion, easily defy it.

Palestine can count on friends like Hezbollah and the Muslim brotherhood in Egypt. Unlike most Arab countries, the Palestinian people are free to choose the course of action against Israel. The Palestinians chose the course of armed resistance and so would most other Arab countries if their dictatorships ceased from existence.

Democracy in Egypt would certainly bring the Muslim brotherhood to power and put Israel in a dangerous environment!

Ideally speaking and thinking, I am for a one State solution in Palestine. Since reality is far from this utopian solution, Palestine should continue with its resistance until all of 67 is returned and the refugees have the right to return to their land.

Most Palestinians want this and it is not up to Fatah to act like a typical Hashemite or Mubarak gov. and forbid the armed resistance against Israel.

Why would any power want to give up gains it has made, with whichever means, unless there's a counter-balance of power?

Unfortunately it seems there are times, such as now, when the Palestinians are their worst enemies. And there are many times when it was Arabs who were the Palestinians' worst enemies.

Israel is a declared foe of the Palestinians, but what about the friends?

I think Israel will always be seen as an occupying power in the Middle East (48 borders), certainly among most people even if most of the governments are American poodles. Therefore, I see Israel going the way of the Ottoman Empire, not anytime soon but in the long run.

It is not really a puzzle about the Palestinians killing eachother. I mean, think about it. So, John Kerry got his a$$ beat by George Bush in the 04 election. Imagine that Kerry didn't concede defeat like a man, but instead decided to call out the National Guard onto the streets, got the various liberal unions to go on strike, asked the Cuban govt for weapons and military training for his guards. The idea is beyond comprehension. When you loses an election, you graciously concede defeat and work as the opposition pary WITH the governing party for the benefit of your people and country, and hope to do better next time.

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its shame on palestinain poeple to kill each other.. don't know what to say .. its really puzzled ...

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I think that Hamas is going to win this power struggle eventually, and then the idea of a secular, one state solution is definitely out. And I agree that most Israelis just don't see Palestinians as equals, with equal rights of sovereignty, border control, military defense, even water usage, and that explains part of the failure of the two-state process. I think we can say that Israel is its own worst enemy as well.