Palestinian Succession

Arrangements are set for what will happen after Arafat officially dies. According to Ha'aretz, plans have been approved for a funeral in Cairo, followed by a burial in Ramallah, which makes more sense than Gaza from a Palestinian perspective without the controversy of the Jerusalem ideal. The truth is, Arafat did not lead his people into the promised land, and in Arafat's case it is at least partially his own fault for hoarding wealth and power rather than throwing everything to completing his purported life's work. The Arafat era will thus be remembered as one of struggle and turmoil rather than accomplishment.

On the more immediately important question of the succession, the Palestinian leadership will be divided among Abu Ala, Abu Mazen, and someone I've never heard of named Rawhi Fatuh. According to the Constitution, they are required to hold new elections within 60 days. If the security environment permits, some sort of elections will probably take place, as both the Islamist factions and the Young Guard will want to claim a share of the power they're presently frozen out of, and the proposed leadership committee doesn't have the influence to hold out indefinitely. But there are too many random elements to predict how it will all play out.