Since the collapse of the Soviet Union 15 years ago, and the subsequent transformation of international society from a bipolar system of states into a hegemonic one, the governing dynamics of international security and foreign policy have been dictated by an unchallenged and increasingly ostentatious United States. Since 1991, an imposed "new world order" has predetermined the conditions, balances/imbalances, and outcomes of international disputes and conflicts; at the disadvantaged end of this equation lies the Palestinian struggle for national liberation and independence.

Israel's "sacred" alliance with the United States, or rather, the United States' inability/unwillingness to fulfil its role as impartial broker in the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, has arguably been a determining factor in the complete collapse of diplomacy between the Palestinians and Israelis, hence the return to an asymmetrical military confrontation between Israel's military forces (among the world's strongest) and the Palestinian resistance movement.

Israel's wilful failure to abide by its obligations under the "Interim Agreement," most notably through the construction and expansion of its illegal settlements in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, as well as a continued procrastination in redeploying its army from the occupied territories, have directly contributed to the disillusionment of the Palestinian people with the peace process. In particular, the Clinton administration's open support to Israel's uncompromising rejection to the basic prerequisites of peace during the Camp David II negotiations in July 2000 (the return to the June 1967 boundaries in accordance with UN Resolutions 242 and 338, including Palestinian sovereignty over east Jerusalem, and Israel's acceptance of the Palestinian refugees' right of return in accordance with UN Resolution 194) had exposed the ineffectiveness of the United States as a credible and balanced peacemaker, let alone as a responsible and democratic world leader.

Today, as Mother Russia's "winds of change" blow once again, albeit in a different direction, a restructuring (or perestroika) of Middle East diplomacy may be anticipated.

President Putin's invitation of Hamas to the Kremlin, following their election victory last month, not only takes a daring lead in giving the Islamic group their earned legitimacy as a (lets face it) democratically-elected political leadership, but also seems to underline Russia's strategic decision to reassert itself as a key international actor, and reclaim its dwindling impact on Middle Eastern affairs, particularly within the context of the Middle East Quartet.

Interestingly, while Hamas has been widely viewed as an alternative to the status quo within the Palestinian territories, Russia is obviously attempting to reintroduce itself as an alternative on the international level. How far it succeeds remains to be seen in the months, and years, to come, starting with Hamas' visit to Moscow, which is most likely to take place before the end of this month.

Even more interestingly, and as accurately outlined by the London Times correspondent in Moscow, Jeremy Page, "Russia has historical links with organisations and regimes that the West has either very poor relations with or none at all. During the Cold War, when Israel was backed by the US, Russia aligned itself with its opponents. This meant that it has historical ties to groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah which it now hopes to exploit."

A Russian role as impartial mediator between the Palestinians and Israelis may be what is desperately required within the current climate of pessimism and scarcity of options, for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. However, at the heart of what will hopefully be a restructured equation, all parties must focus on the root causes of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict: the occupation.

Indeed, perhaps some observers have been too quick in deeming Hamas' election victory a serious obstacle to peacemaking in the Middle East. Perhaps, the new (and old-new) players deserve a fair game.

Rami Bathish is director of the Media and Information Programme at the Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH). He can be contacted at mip@miftah.org