The improbable U.S. plan to revitalize a Palestinian security force

Today, the history of the Palestinian Authority, and whether its security forces are up to the challenge of helping to stabilize a post-war Gaza.

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The Palestinian Authority security forces, which report to President Mahmoud Abbas, are at a pivotal moment. The group, estimated to be 35,500 members strong, is regarded by the Biden administration as central to its goal to stabilize a post-war Gaza.

However, despite two decades of reforms, the Palestinian Authority remains chronically underfunded and widely unpopular; many think its security force is ill-equipped to take on the massive responsibility that its Western backers are envisioning.

Today, Post reporter Miriam Berger takes us inside the Palestinian Authority training center, and gives us a rare glimpse of the specific challenges this security force faces as the United States rests its hopes on the group.

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy, with help from Ariel Plotnick. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Monica Campbell. 

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