Israel today assasinated a terrorist group leader.

there is no more 'road map' and it looks like we're headed for more bloodshed. probably an all-out war.

but here's an idea:

as it stands, Abbas can't crack down on the militants for a number of reasons: 1) he doesn't have the manpower, 2) he doesn't have the firepower, 3) even if he had 1 & 2, the terrorist groups have become so popular, that to crack down on them is politically dangerous, and 4) he could spark a civil war.

but as condition for the peace agreement, he has to do something. so he was thinking about disarmament, but that's out of the question now. now, he can't do anything at all. the terrorists are calling for his ouster and the 'civil war' is precariously near.

okay. so Israel is the one with the 'real' army...so if it comes to an all-out war, of course Israel has the big advantage.
Israel could try to bank on sparking a civil war, because it could just step aside and focus on preventative security instead of undertaking the ugly task of reoccupation and brutal guerilla warfare. (probably Sharon's strategy).

I want to make clear a distinction between 'the palestinians' and the 'palestinian authority' and the 'militants or terrorists.' these are three separate groups in my mind, although there is some overlap, i.e. arafat is/has been/always will be a terrorist.

I am definitely supportive of the 'human rights' claims of 'the palestinians': they have the right to self-determination, they have the right to have a country with defined borders, and they have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (those 'inalienable rights') in an ordered society.

the way I see it, the 'palestinian authority' has prevented the people from obtaining those rights through the systematic corruption, stealing of aid money, acting more like a brutal dictatorship than a government.

because of this and many other reasons, the 'terrorist groups' emerged in opposition to the pa and began to sway the population to their more extreme beliefs by providing more humanitarian assistance than the pa was giving the people. sort of a feed the body, spoil the mind approach.

enter abbas. the guy is stuck between a rock and a hard place. supposing he was genuine in his thoughts and deeds, he simply does not weild enough power to take on the militant groups. the guy is going to need some serious help.

israel complains that abbas isn't doing anything, or not doing it fast enough, and feels that it has to take on the job.

is there any reason that abbas can't work together with israel to stop the militants??? seriously, abbas needs help. he needs an army behind him that is strong enough to do something about the bomb factories. but israel isn't the answer...

so where is this army going to come from??? Jordan? not likely. Egypt? that would be interesting. Syria? nope, on the side of the terrorists. Lebanon? definitely not, they would be considered another SLA.

maybe the UN? quagmire...maybe not if they could put together the right kind of force, and led by the french. there would have to be complete disarmament, and the immediate establishment of a well-trained police force and judicial system. social reeducation wouldn't be a bad idea, either.

while I am wandering on to the subject of social reeducation: I wouldn't normally be supportive of such measures because of the 'brainwashing' connotation, but the fact of the matter is that the palestinians have already been brainwashed. brainwashed people dance in the streets and pass out candy when 3,000 people die in a terrorist attack, brainwashed people think bloodshed is righteous and holy. this is because brainwashed people have had their brains washed of any sense of humanity.

but 'reeducation' brings to mind the communist revolution in china. perhaps it could be presented a little more innocuously, such as "constitution class" or something. in the new palestinian state, everyone would be required to attend a 'civics class' where they would receive a copy of the palestinian constitution, be taught about the new structure of the government and the roles of each branch, and learn the 'pledge of allegiance', which will invoke a commitment from each and every citizen of the state to live in peace.

I guess I'll have to think about all of this a bit more. I hope I've gotten a good idea or two in here. I'm probably wrong on a lot.


UPDATE: just send in Rummy&c. the west bank and gaza are a lot smaller than Iraq. the flypaper technique may actually work there.

UPDATE: It looks like the Dems and Pubs in Congress see the eventuality of us troops in the west bank and gaza.