Sharon

Two weeks ago Sharon announced he would leave the Likud, the right wing party he started in Israel to form his own centrist party. It is obvious that Sharon sees the end of his political career (he's in his mid-70s) and would like to go down as the man who made peace with the Palestinians.

This is an abrupt shift from the Sharon of 2000, whose visit to the Temple mount instigated the first infitada. His turn clearly coincides with the death of Yasir Arafat, Sharon's longtime nemesis, and a man Sharon concluded long ago would never be a fair "partner in peace." In hindsight, he proved to be correct. Let us hope that his next move will follow suit.

Starting his own party and recruiting centrists from Israel's elite, including Shimon Peres (as of today) is a huge gamble, he's betting that the Israeli people will follow him and not the traditional parties (much more common than say in the United States because of different electoral systems). He is also trusting that Israel's unilateral withdrawal from the occupied territories can lead to the goal of establishing "final borders," whereby Israel is permenantly recognized by the UN and her neighbors.

He's arguably the best living military commander and should this manuever succeed, potentially the best living stateman.