After weeks of Egyptian-sponsored pre-talks, and a very short "cabinet meeting" in Gaza, "formal reconciliation talks" are now being held between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (P.A. or Fatah) in Cairo under the direct auspices of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. For some Middle East-watchers, the talks are a form of progress.  There are presently three functional governments between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, and this is about getting rid of one of them.  Progress here is that Israel is not the government they're talking about getting rid of.  Yet.  This is about whether Hamas or Fatah will lead the Palestinians – whether to peace with Israel or to war with Israel is less important for them right now than simply who between them is top dog. The factions are "optimistic," according to Palestinian sources in Cairo.  To the extent they are, Israel and the West should be worried, because what they...(Read Full Article)