Reply #4: While "securing the rhealm" is part

[mmonk]

of the neo-con ideology, they haven't even finished the first stage yet. Events in Israel have started running on their own. It has to do with many factors including the death of Arafat and the change in Palestinian leadership as well as shifts in Sharon's approach. The intifada seems to be off now and some of the violence is coming from radical Israeli groups that the army has had to put down as well.

Personally, I think things may be getting better there. I think all will depend upon how well Palestians fare economically, especially with more roads becoming open. I think the wall may become a point of consternation at some point. I find it interesting that Sharon has started a moderate party and left Likud a little isolated. I don't read Israeli dailies and the coverage in the US has waned. With that being the case, I don't have as good a pulse on the situation.