Epstein Secrets

in the Gaza Strip. Mashaal is no longer in EFTA_R1_00230046 EFTA01842741 sole control of the movement's purse strings, since contributions from Tehran were reduced. He no longer enjoys the recognition of Syria, Iran and Hezbollah in his supremacy within Hamas. In short, Mashaal, whose claim to be

nt, with Abu Mazen himself as prime minister.They also agreed to postpone general elections without fixing a specific date. This was a bombshell! Mashaal has agreed, at least implicitly, to make a major concession: to dismantle Hamas' s own government in Gaza, which has ruled the Strip for the last

m within his own movement. This is the most serious rift ever within Hamas's ranks. It has already turned into a bitter public controversy between Mashaal and his few loyalist lieutenants, versus his own Deputy Head of the Political Bureau, Dr. Musa Abu-Marzuq, and the top leaders in Gaza. A major e

ureau. Soon enough it became quite evident that many of the Gaza leaders — and also Abu-Marzuq! — were not going to beg him to stay. That has left Mashaal in a bind: He has committed himself to retire from the top position, yet he has no intention of doing that. He still expects to be "convinced" by

adership" EFTA00686799 centered in the Gaza Strip. Mashaal is no longer in sole control of the movement's purse strings, since contributions from Tehran were reduced. He no longer enjoys the recognition of Syria, Iran and Hezbollah in his supremacy within Hamas. In short, Mashaal, whose claim to be

s severely divided on its future course as well as on the identity of its post-Syria sponsors. A few months into the uprising against Bashar Assad, Mashaal reached the conclusion that Hamas could no longer afford to appear as supporting and benefiting from the Syrian regime, which is butchering its own

m within his own movement. This is the most serious rift ever within Hamas's ranks. It has already turned into a bitter public controversy between Mashaal and his few loyalist lieutenants, versus his own Deputy Head of the Political Bureau, Dr. Musa Abu-Marzuq, and the top leaders in Gaza. A major ef

ureau. Soon enough it became quite evident that many of the Gaza leaders — and also Abu-Marzuq! — were not going to beg him to stay. That has left Mashaal in a bind: He has committed himself to retire from the top position, yet he has no intention of doing that. He still expects to be "convinced" by h

ide Assad forces inside Syria. Meanwhile, wiping Israel off the map can wait. Conflict with Sunnis gives Hizbollah and its patrons in Damascus and Tehran a regional role; war with Israel is costly and unrewarding, a lesson that Hafez Al Assad learnt some 40 years ago. As such, as Syria's MiG fighter

oed the deal, unwilling to give Abbas a renewed foothold in Gaza. Hamas has been holding secret EFTA00711390 leadership elections since then, and Mashaal announced last month he is no longer seeking another term in the top spot. The upcoming visit by the Qatari ruler — a boon to Hamas — has been shr

rnment to pave the way for presidential and parliamentary elections in the Palestinian territories. However, senior Hamas officials in Gaza accused Mashaal at the time of not consulting with them first and torpedoed the deal, unwilling to give Abbas a renewed foothold in Gaza. Hamas has been holding se

Article 2. Asharq Al-Awsat Revolutions expose the frailties of Arab armies Dr. Amal Al-Hazzani Article 3. Wall Street Journal How to Talk Down Tehran's Nuclear Ambitions Richard Haass and Michael Levi Article 4. Project Syndicate Sarkozy at Dusk Dominique Moisi Article 5. NYT Peaceful Prote

comment on Al-Jazeera. I tried to explain why suicide attacks were not good, that they would not achieve anything. I did not initially realize that Mashaal was on the other side. He replied that I was talking rubbish and that suicide attacks are great and shooting and killing is great. That is why I go

Article 2. Asharq Al-Awsat Revolutions expose the frailties of Arab armies Dr. Amal Al-Hazzani Article 3. Wall Street Journal How to Talk Down Tehran's Nuclear Ambitions Richard Haass and Michael Levi Article 4. Project Syndicate Sarkozy at Dusk Dominique Moisi Article 5. NYT EFTA_R1_022092

comment on Al-Jazeera. I tried to explain why suicide attacks were not good, that they would not achieve anything. I did not initially realize that Mashaal was on the other side. He replied that I was talking rubbish and that suicide attacks are great and shooting and killing is great. That is why I g