Rope-A-Dope Redux

Ha’aretz has the local angle on Powell’s “failed” Middle East negotiations.

Need more evidence of a rope-a-dope? Read:

Arafat himself had several angry outbursts on Wednesday when it became clear that Powell had not managed to persuade Ariel Sharon to order an immediate Israeli withdrawal. “They [the Israelis] are not withdrawing at all. On the contrary, they are re-entering all our towns,” was the chairman’s angry response to journalists’ questions.

It ain’t pretty, it offends supporters and hawks, Old Media gets it all wrong (which is half the idea), but it sure as hell seems to be working.

And I don’t see anyone claiming Israel’s advances while Washington fiddles are all just some happy accident.