SHERLOCK HOLMES EXPLAINS THE MIDDLE EAST

The Region: Elementary, simply elementary By BARRY RUBIN (JPOST)
"Consider the Case of the Missing Peace Process. The situation was thus: A weak leader headed the Palestinian Authority. Over the years he had made many promises and never fulfilled a single one. Clearly he was powerless."

I nodded to show I was paying attention."He was challenged by a radical group that beat him soundly in elections. The territory broke down in chaos. The two factions fought continuously, competing also to prove who was most radical."

"Yes, I remember. Didn't Inspector Euro say that this was the perfect time to engage them in negotiations?" Holmes gave his rare smile. "Yes, indeed. Sometimes I wonder, Watson, how they choose those who lead the police force in this country. And he even wanted to give them money so they could carry out even more violence."

"Astounding! And I seem to remember the Case of the Nuclear Weapons Program also."

Holmes sighed. "It was no difficult matter to figure out that the Iranians were building nuclear weapons: their refusal to cooperate, constant delays and prevarications, the import and production of substances good for nothing else. Though I'm afraid Inspector Euro let them slip away."