The best players on the scene

The problem with Arik Sharon's incursion into Lebanon to root out the PLO was that he was at the same time allowing the Syrians to take up their own positions in northern Lebanon. 

The Israelis need to learn how to play the power/challenge game better. From all indicators the best players on the scene are the Iranians. Their committment to the power/challenge game is complete and uncompromised. They are pure in their dedication to the principles of power and rule in the Middle East. The other players have been compromised by the wish to establish centrist institutions and legitimate structures of authority.