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Source: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1911683,00.html
Obstacles to Restarting a Peace Process
[TIME] Tony Karon - Whatever his intentions, PA leader Mahmoud Abbas' political weakness has effectively neutered him as an effective peace interlocutor. He is engaged in an epic power struggle with Hamas, which not only controls Gaza but also is the ruling party of the democratically elected Palestinian legislature. And his influence is waning even in his own Fatah organization. It has become conventional wisdom internationally that no credible peace process is possible without the consent of Hamas. Egypt-mediated talks aimed at reconciling Hamas and Fatah continue, but little progress is expected because Hamas has little incentive to make the concessions that Fatah is demanding. Hamas believes it has the momentum at home and abroad. Just last week, it was revealed that Thomas Pickering, former U.S. ambassador to the UN, had met with Hamas leaders, though the Obama administration continues to insist that it will not engage with Hamas until the organization renounces violence, recognizes Israel and abides by past agreements. Meanwhile, Abbas is under pressure from Fatah leaders who openly challenge his fealty to Washington.