$8 billion Gone Missing, US Reservist Speaks Up, Hamas and Revolution, and Iraqi Oil Industry Unions

Mark Perry, director of Conflicts Forum, writes about the emergence and existence of Hamas, its friction and conflict with Fatah and the PLO, as well as its role in national and regional politics. There is confusion in analysts’ identification of Hamas: a militant organization, a political party, or a revolutionary movement. Perry goes a little deeper with his analysis.

Meanwhile Juan Cole’s blog has a post that is worthwhile reading for the day. In it he speaks of the union resistance to privatization of the Iraqi oil industry, the dissapearance of US$8 billion in Iraq over the past 3 years, and quotes a US reservist on the dangers of life and military assignment in Iraq.