Wednesday January 4 2006 #2

I'm Predicting:

The health - or ill health - of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon must be measured in gargantuan terms.
Ariel Sharon's physical presence has ramifications not only for Israel, not only for his newly created Kadima party, but for the entire Middle East.

Ariel Sharon's character makes him a leader's leader ... because of his charisma, because of his past, because of his ability to get out of Gaza.
Ariel Sharon can do things that no other Israeli leader would dare and that no one else could succeed at doing.
Ariel Sharon radiates an attitude that says "don't mess with me."

If poor health forces Sharon out of politics, the entire Middle East will spin.
No one on the political horizon in Israel commands the respect and political strength of Sharon in Israel.
No one on the political horizon in Israel commands the respect and political strength of Sharon in the Arab world.