The death of Yasir Arafat in November 2004 has given newly elected PA president Mahmoud Abbas the chance to pursue his strategy of cease-fire (with Israel), reform (of PA institutions), and negotiations (over the Quartet-sponsored road map and final status issues). In assessing the prospects of success for this strategy, the author examines three main obstacles: opposition from Hamas and other Palestinian groups; disunity within Abbas's own Fatah movement; and Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon's agenda, which is totally at odds with the PA's vision of a Palestinian "state." The dilemma facing Abbas is that the final status issues must be confronted as soon as possible if there is any chance for a viable state, but the kind of struggle necessary to negotiate successfully requires thorough-going reform, which takes time the Palestinians do not have. GRAHAM USHER is a journalist based in the occupied territories and author of several books, including Dispatches from Palestine: The Rise and Fall of the Oslo Peace Process  (Pluto Press, 1999).

Graham Usher is a journalist based in the occupied territories and author of several books, including Dispatches from Palestine: The Rise and Fall of the Oslo Peace Process  (Pluto Press, 1999).