Soviet "New Thinking" and the Middle East: Gorbachev's Arab-Israeli Options
Abstract
This paper attempts to assess Soviet policy options in the Arab-Israeli arena in the light of Gorbachev's "new political thinking." Although Gorbachev has been preoccupied with internal politics, he has suggested broad outlines of policy for the Middle East. This new direction is potentially a radical departure from previous policy. Traditional allies, such as Syria, are being downplayed; the PLO mainstream and the moderate Arabs are being wooed: and there is intense speculation concerning a Soviet move to resume diplomatic relations with Israel. If this trend continues, the question arises: will the new Soviet policy evolve incrementally, or will Gorbachev and Shevardnadze confound observers once again with the unexpected? Within the U.S. Government, opinion appears to suggest the incremental alternative, but this paper will examine several areas in which things might move faster than expected given Gorbachev's penchant for surprises. The author begins with a brief historical overview of Soviet Middle East policy and its past failings, followed by a discussion of the current Soviet perspective on Arab-Israeli developments. He then discusses current Soviet interests in the Arab world, including bilateral relations with Syria, the PLO, Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Finally, he assesses Gorbachev's policy options and freedom of maneuver in the Middle East, highlighting areas in which one might see a Gorbachev surprise.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 02, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA436982
Entities
People
- Whitley Bruner
Organizations
- National War College