When I was growing up and Russia was the THEM to our US, even young I know that when the Kremlin reported that some power guy in Moscow had a cold, he was going to die. Then a few days/weeks later he would die and be replaced, quickly, no muss no fuss.
Mr. Arafat is dying, he’s not resting, he’s dying. For years he has been the face of first the PLO and then the spokesman for the Palestinian state. With him gone, and no identifiable hierarchy in place, no right of succession, things may get violent quickly as different groups vie for position.
It may work out for the best in the end, but there could be serious problems in the near future.
IG