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—Voices from the Sensible Center— Interpreting the Middle
East for North Americans— Current Affairs 2 The Outlook: Good or Bad?—Many of the things happening in the Middle East right now are a distinct improvement over last summer's horrors. So is it time to get optimistic? We had a chat with that man who drops into our office from time to time to talk about the Middle East, and we agreed on a few things—well, sort of. 4 U.S.-Algeria: Gas Pains—Agreements by some U.S. gas distributors for the purchase of liquefied natural gas from Algeria are coming under fire from U.S. regulators and regional utilities. The controversy could hurt the prospects for a growing trade relationship with that country. 4 Lobby Activities—Pro-Israel groups have been working overtime to try to regain the congressional and public support they lost after the Shatila massacre. In the meantime, two leading Arab-American organizations have been beefing up their staffs to record levels. Regular Features 2 Editorial—If a border is "defensible," does that mean it is secure?" If a country is 15 miles wide, is it safer to live in it than to live in one which is only 10 miles wide? We think we know the answers—but we're not sure if the Administration does. 6 Facts For Your Files—Chronology of U.S.-Middle East Relations Upcoming Events 7 Book Review—The American Friends Service Committee has come out with a good book—A Compassionate Peace—giving its view of what is required for a Middle East settlement. The authors believe that mutual recognition between the PLO and Israel would be a politically viable compromise. 8 Personality—Seth Tillman has an unusual background for an academic—he spent 16 years serving as a professional staff member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. During the experience, he turned himself into a specialist in Middle East affairs.
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