Word: arabized
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...particularly in Europe, have become heavily reliant on exports to finance research and development of new weapons systems. France, which once sent a third of its weapons exports to Iraq, is seeking new customers. Britain hopes to sell Challenger tanks and Tornado aircraft to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates...
...giving peace at least a slim chance in the Middle East. But the new climate may not last much longer than a desert rainstorm; old habits, ways of thinking and alignments could quickly reassert themselves. So, to use a much overworked but appropriate metaphor, all parties interested in an Arab-Israeli peace process must scramble through the window of opportunity before it bangs shut...
Probably the most striking new wrinkle is that the Saudis contemplate King Hussein's abdication. Before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, Hussein's kingdom included the West Bank. But the Saudis doubt that any Arab Hashemite King could now rule an amalgam of Jordan, the West Bank and Gaza. The Palestinians have about a 60% majority over Bedouin-descended Arabs even in present-day Jordan; they would be far more dominant still in an expanded state. In Riyadh's eyes, Hussein would either be overthrown or have to abdicate -- and good riddance...
...should turn Jordan into a democracy by redefining the monarch's role, passing his governing powers to parliamentarians elected by his subjects, and granting them freedom to run the country. After that, he should continue to rule as England's Queen Elizabeth does -- proudly. Absolute Arab monarchies are on the downside of history's curve, and Hussein, at least, knows it. In late 1989, to the chagrin of hereditary Arab monarchs, he ordered up Jordan's first real election for seats in parliament, a body that serves only at his pleasure. His parliament is less than perfect as a vehicle...
Being the globe's sole superpower has limited application. It is enough to have shown the gun. It must be drawn only very rarely. Americans, liking to be liked, are sometimes astonished at the hatreds they arouse -- in the Arab world, for example, in Latin America and elsewhere -- hatred generally running south to north, from have-nots to one of the gaudiest of the haves...