Some believed that holding an election in such circumstances was folly and that, however horrible and incoherent the rebels were, they could not be defeated militarily.

ECONOMIST: The darkest corner of Africa

As for Washington, until November 2007, the Bush administration argued that a Palestinian state could not be formed and its borders and powers could not be determined until after the Palestinian Authority purged terror elements from its own militias and defeated terror forces operating within its territory.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Israel and the Palestinians: Ending the Stalemate