From the Economist (the best magazine there is--although its coverage of Israel's war on Lebanon was quite lousy): "Once seen as weak and isolated, this block has been bolstered by Hamas's electoral win, Iran's nuclear obstinacy and the skill and determination of Hizbullah in holding off Israel's far more powerful army. Meanwhile, the whole notion of “resistance” to America's perceived desire to dominate the region has gained ground among the wider Arab public. While the Hizbullah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and even Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, win popular acclaim as Robin Hood-like heroes, stalwart Arab “moderates”, such as Egypt's president, Hosni Mubarak and King Abdullah of Jordan, are tarred as American puppets."