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Gamed Greatly

In the last six weeks, a resurgent Taliban has surprised the Americans with the ferocity of its annual spring offensive and set some officials here to worrying that the United States might become tied down in a prolonged battle as control slips away from the central government … the number of American troops has quietly risen, not fallen … The recent fighting, the fiercest since 2001, has been mainly in three southern provinces where the Taliban have traditionally been strong … Militants have set off 32 suicide bombs, 6 more than in all of 2005, Pentagon officials say. The number of roadside bombs is up 30 percent over a year ago … The pitched battles in southern Afghanistan have left more than 250 people dead.

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Divide and Conquer

Last week, the Hamas militia engaged in a prolonged clash in the crowded center of [Gaza] with police loyal to Abbas, killing one bystander and sending students, shoppers and office workers fleeing. A few days later, Hamas pulled most of its force back to less visible positions but insisted the militia would not be dismantled.

In Gaza, the loyalty of many ordinary Palestinians lies with Hamas. And the creation of a Hamas police force has pointed up the fact that actual law enforcement was never much of a priority for Fatah during its years in power.

The watchful, disciplined demeanor of the Hamas men contrasted sharply with that of Fatah police officers, who can often be seen lounging, smoking and taking tea breaks. The Islamist group’s image of fiscal incorruptibility, burnished by its years of running an extensive charity network, gave it greater credibility as a crime-fighting force.

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