The upsurge of Palestinian violence against Israeli citizens – by young people, female as well as male – the resumption of rocket fire from Gaza into Israel, the insistence on using Islamic holy places as an excuse for violence, the continuing deliberate falsehoods about Israeli intentions, and the inflammatory rhetoric of the Palestinian leadership have brought a new unhelpful dimension into the Middle East. One of the unexpected and remarkable developments in the Middle East has been the collapse of the state system with the chaos in Libya, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.  At present only Iran, Turkey, Egypt, and Israel remain as states characterized by some form of national identity if not total solidarity, and capable and willing to take action.  The Middle East monarchies, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the Gulf Emirates are less able and less willing to do so. However, the biggest failure to create some form of a coherent political entity, strong enough to control...(Read Full Article)