[Washington Institute for Near East Policy] Michael Eisenstadt - Since its creation in 1994, the Palestinian Authority has been crippled by "the four Fs": fawda (chaos), fitna (strife), falatan (lawlessness), and fassad (corruption). These conditions - the hallmarks of state failure - continue to define life in the PA-controlled West Bank and show signs of returning in Hamas-controlled Gaza. The Palestinians face numerous obstacles to meaningful reform and stability, including economic stagnation, unsustainable population growth, a self-defeating strategy of armed struggle, and Arafat's enduring legacy of corruption and unaccountability. These problems have been exacerbated by continued interference from Iran and Syria.
2007-12-25 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive