Egypt and Syria: Power Struggle Via Gaza
Anne Penketh, The Independent | January 15, 2009
The struggle between Egypt and Syria over their respective negotiations with Hamas demonstrate power politics in the Arab world for hegemony in the Middle East. ++ With Egypt stand western-leaning allies Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and behind Syria are Qatar, Yemen and Algeria as well as Iran, who supports Hamas and Hizbollah. ++ Meanwhile, the Quartet is unlikely to dismiss their criteria for negotiations with Hamas despite failing talks in Egypt. ++ Hamas "is now the interlocutor" for Palestinians; talks in Egypt must succeed.
