Word: saddamism
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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SAUDI ARABIA Grateful to the U.S. and the other allies for saving them from Saddam, the Saudis suggested in the midst of the crisis that they would adopt a new openness toward Israel. But now that the kingdom is safe again, the old hostility is back. It took a diplomatic bludgeoning by the U.S. to get the Saudis and the other gulf states to agree earlier this month to serve collectively as an observer to a Middle East conference and to participate in talks with Israel on regional issues like water distribution, economic development and arms control. Worried about...
JORDAN U.S. officials think King Hussein badly wants to take part in the talks, in part to get back in Washington's good graces after leaning toward Saddam in the war. But last week the King refused to accept Baker's proposal for a parley for fear of incurring Assad's wrath. Asked whether he would attend a peace conference without Syria present, he replied, "I haven't said that." Would he attend if Syria did too? "I haven't said that, either...
...Faced with the Kurdish tragedy and Saddam's tenacious hold on power, the Bush Administration dearly needs a diplomatic victory. Certainly Baker does not appear to be preparing to quit anytime soon. On his way home last week, he stressed the positive accomplishments of his mission and said little to dampen expectations for more progress...
...Well," says a senior Administration official, "we promised to try. We didn't exactly link dealing with Saddam to a serious attempt to waddle around in this mess afterward, but that was clearly the President's message to the Arabs, and we are determined to keep our word. None of the toing and froing may go anywhere, which is obviously where you'd have to put your money if you cared to bet, but history shows that whenever a Middle East peace process is at least perceived to be ongoing, the chances for war recede...
...desk is an aphorism, the source of which Gates has forgotten. "The easiest way to achieve complete strategic surprise," it reads, "is to commit an act that makes no sense or is even self-destructive." Gates says he finds this a useful admonition when trying to understand the Saddam Husseins of the world. He hopes to take it with him when he returns...