We all have dots. The problem is connecting them. But, it's my job to try.

I don't believe the street fighting between Hamas and Fatah is independent from what happened at the Quartet meeting in Washington. I notice that the on again, off again, cease-fire is being negotiated by Fatah in Gaza and Hamas, not in Gaza, but Hamas' supreme leader in Syria. This report says:

The cease-fire agreement was announced late Friday on the deadliest single day of battles between the two sides, who have been fighting for control of the Palestinian government since the Islamic militant Hamas ousted Fatah from power in last year's elections. Palestinian officials said the deal was approved by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah and Hamas' supreme leader, Khaled Mashaal. But the cease-fire - the second announced this week - showed no signs of taking hold Read about it here.

Then at yesterday's gathering of the so-called Quartet, Russian's Sergey Lavrov surprised other members of the group with an off key solo. Lavrov insisted both Syria and Hamas had to be included in the negotiations for the creation of a Palestinian state Read about it here. The interesting thing here is, Russia has recently entered into new security arrangements with Syria. In other words, Syria has become a Russian proxy and Hamas a Syrian proxy.

Now, if on the side Russia is singing trio with Syria and Hamas, what would Russia be wanting from the Quartet? Perhaps this interesting piece provides a possible answer. Quoting Lavrov:

"There are alarming developments. The balance of conventional weapons in East and West has shifted considerably," he [Lavrov] said, noting most former members of the Soviet-aligned Warsaw Pact had joined NATO since the break-up of the Soviet Union. "And ultimately the military presence of the United States in Europe is becoming a strategic factor," he added. Lavrov reiterated Russian concerns about U.S. plans to site a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic and noted there was little to separate this technology from systems that could be used for offensive purposes. "This is creating a completely new situation," he said. "We want to be told quite clearly why this is happening. We don't see any objective reason for this step" Read about it here. 

For the Israeli and the Palestinian people the sad fact is, even in the Quartet, the group of important international players that was created to bring peace to the tormented Middle East, personal interests remain the bottom line. Hamas wants to destroy Israel, Syria wants its way in Lebanon and the return of the Golan Heights, and Russia wants the growing strategic alliance between America and the EU to back away from her doorstep.

That's why I suspect the fighting between Hamas and Fatah may be related to what happened at the Quartet meeting. For peace in the Middle East, a few more deals must be made.

Just connecting dots.