re: #8 Bob Levin

I am not so sanguine in my view of the subject. The notion that only the poor and downtrodden produce Hamas-supporting fanatics and terrorists is a uniquely Western, and largely inaccurate, viewpoint. The reality is that a significant number of Islamists, their footsoldiers and their supporters are from solidly mddle and upper middle class famillies, and include among their ranks numerous doctors, lawyers and engineers. For those who believe in the Islamist worldview that is represented by Hamas, material wealth is not the end-all and be-all of existence.
Additionally, I do not agree that Hamas is in a tenuous position. To their southwest, Egypt is on the verge of having a government that is dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood, who are Hamas’ true patrons. Hamas may not need Iranian financial support, because they will be in a position to receive succor from their Islamist mentors in Egypt.