[djmcmath]

Ok, so seriously, despite your feelings about NYT's political leanings, there are some facts clear through any bias:

1 -- 2 high-profile Hamas leaders have been offed in the last two weeks.
2 -- Popular support for Hamas is apparently up.
3 -- No new leader is stepping up.

Beyond that, it's all speculation -- why are no new leaders volunteering? Maybe 'coz they don't want to die? Maybe because Hamas isn't as popular as it is thought? Maybe ... who knows. It's tough to theorize. The other question is what will happen next -- will somebody step up? If so, will Israel be able to knock him down? Eventually, will Hamas fall apart because of lack of leadership? Will Sharon assassinate Arafat, despite popular disapproval of the action, handing control of Palestine to Hamas, which has no leader? Come now, this is good stuff!


Dan