HAMAS IN TRANSITION.

• Author: DeAtkine, Norvell B.

In coping with the political upheavals in the Arab world, the Palestinian entity in Gaza, controlled by the militant Hamas movement, finds itself in an unchartered political landscape. While it is far too soon to forecast an early demise of the Hamas organization, it does face an uncertain future. As the STRAFOR authors of the article point out: "The group now finds itself at a turning point. Hamas has to balance deteriorating relationships with longtime patrons Iran and Syria, establish a new political vision, identify proper sources of funding, and manage growing internal disagreements."

The radical Sunni Muslim core of Hamas has happily soft-pedaled its Sunni orientation to receive funding and support from Shi'a Iran and the Alawite regime in Syria. This was never a problem with the "Arab street," but with the revolutionary tumult in the Arab world sweeping away despotic regimes continued support from Syria has become problematic. Because of this, the flow of support and arms from Iran has become more complicated.

This would seem to have been somewhat offset by the overthrow of Mubarak, who kept a close watch on Hamas activities in the Sinai Peninsula, and by the overwhelming Muslim Brotherhood influence in the Egyptian parliament. The Muslim Brotherhood core of Hamas would...