Today's "Winds of War" is brought to you by M. Simon, a frequent guest blogger here at Winds of Change.NET. Because the incoming format was slightly different, we've divided the report into independent sections (Wider War | Iraq | Roadmap | Iran).

What's Wrong With the Roadmap?
by M. Simon

What is wrong with the road map? I'll give you a hint: it is not being followed.

The first step was to be free and fair elections in the Arafat controlled territories. These elections were supposed to happen in January, but no later than May 31st. They did not happen, and apparently will not. Why? Because Yasser Arafat said they could not while Israel was fighting terrorists in the territories.

Of course Yasser did nothing to rein in the Palestinian National Suicide Bomb Squads. So no elections.

Well there was an election actually. One man, one vote. It turns out that in Palestinian elections, one man's vote is enough for victory. Yasser elected Mahmoud Abbas Palestinian Prime Minister. So instead of running things directly, Mr. Arafat now has to pull the strings of his puppet. Not exactly in conformance with American policy relative to the road map.

I suppose the importance of this is that at least we are on the road even if it is the wrong map.