[Ghoulish Delight]

I'm trying to decide what Sharon's sudden departure means for the whole situation. I can see it going either way. A major new party on the verge of a major shakeup just lost the man who was essentially its entire foundation. Meanwhile, while the peace effort seems to have a little more steam than it has in a long time, it's in a total limbo state and the recent riots haven't helped.

So, whatever government ends up shaking out now that Sharon's incapacitaed, I would not be surprised whether they either decide that there's too much instability at home to risk getting into it with Iran right now, or decide that getting into it with Iran is just the thing they need to take the focus off the instability at home.