Article
Nathan J. Brown
REQUIRED IMAGE
Article
Aftermath of the Hamas Tsunami
Published on Feb 2, 2006
The shock of the landslide victory of Hamas in the January 25 Palestinian parliamentary elections has confronted all interested parties with stark problems and choices with little preparation. It is not merely that the extent of the Hamas electoral triumph was unanticipated by so many and that the various parties to the conflict assumed a post-election environment and set of issues far different from the ones they are actually facing. The situation is especially murky because of the nature of Hamas: The language and arguments it uses depart so sharply from those used by other actors that it is difficult to discern a rhetorical feint from a sincere initiative.
In an effort to clarify options and possible outcomes, this analysis will address four questions:
• What did Palestinians vote for on January 25?
• What agenda and set of priorities is Hamas likely to pursue?
• What is Hamas likely to be able to do with a parliamentary majority?
• What choices do Western donor states have—is there any possibility of coaxing Hamas into a more promising set of positions regarding Israel?
Click on the link above to continue reading.
This is a web-only publication
About the Author
Nathan J. Brown
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Middle East Program
Nathan J. Brown, a professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University, is a distinguished scholar and author of nine books on Arab politics and governance, as well as editor of five books.
- For Younger Palestinians, Crisis Has Become a Way of Life
- The Perils of the Palestinian Authority’s New Party LawCommentary
Nathan J. Brown
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
More Work from Carnegie China
- China’s Evolving Economic and Security Role in the Middle EastCommentary
The advantage that China has over other global powers, especially America, is that its foreign policy is closely aligned with those of many of the Middle Eastern countries.
Jin Liangxiang, Maha Yahya, Hesham Alghannam
- China’s Rising Influence in the Middle EastCommentary
Transactional relationships are stable but can be shallow.
- +1
Paul Haenle, Maha Yahya, Benjamin Ho, …
- The Many “One Chinas”: Multiple Approaches to Taiwan and ChinaArticle
Beijing says that over 180 countries accept its “one China principle” regarding Taiwan, but the reality is more complicated.
Chong Ja Ian
- China’s Zero COVID Policy Is a Double-Edged SwordCommentary
Beijing must choose between preserving its pandemic narrative or facing more unrest.
Paul Haenle
- What the Russian War in Ukraine Means for the Middle EastCommentary
It’s about managing oil prices, bread prices, and strategic partnerships.
- +8
Amr Hamzawy, Karim Sadjadpour, Aaron David Miller, …
