—Voices from the Sensible Center—

Interpreting the Middle East for North Americans—
Interpreting North America for the Middle East

Current Affairs

3 Pre-empting Mr. Reagan?—As the U.S. works patiently to try to achieve its goals for Lebanon and the West Bank, the big question remains: will the creation of "new facts" on the ground in both places soon make those goals unattainable? In at least one of the places, it may already be too late.

4 Meanwhile in Yemen ...—Peace seemed to be breaking out all over in North and South Yemen during 1982, but hardly any Americans noticed. We thought it was time to put the news on the record.

4 U.S.: Upbeat on Algeria—U.S. Commerce Secretary Malcolm Baldrige became the first Reagan Administration cabinet officer ever to visit Algeria as he headed up a mission of top U.S. business executives who visited the country to discuss the expansion of trade. Upon their return the Americans said they were happy with what they had seen and heard.

5 Lobby Activities—The National Association of Arab Americans took a hard look at itself following Congress's recent boost in aid to Israel and decided to start cracking to try to help prevent such increases in the future. Meanwhile, the pro-Israel lobby has been distributing memos on Capital Hill in a renewed drive to prevent any U.S. arms from being sold to Jordan.

Regular Features

2 Editorial—When Israel took over the West Bank in 1967, it indicated it would give it all back except for a buffer zone for security purposes. Fifteen years later, it still has it all. Now, Mr. Begin says Israel doesn't covet "one square inch" of Lebanon, but does need a buffer zone for security purposes. Fifteen years from now, will Israel have withdrawn from all of Lebanon? Don't bet on it.

6 Facts For Your Files—Chronology of U.S.-Middle East Relations Upcoming Events

7 Book Review—Despite the inherent difficulties in writing on nuclear weapons and the Mideast, Roger Pajak's new book, Nuclear Proliferation in the Middle East, is a solid primer. However, it stops short of being a full analysis—presumably because of

8 Personality—Few Arab investment bankers have had as long and as strong a U.S. connection as David Sambar—who is now putting his contacts to use in helping out small U.S. companies in the high technology sector.