Foreign Policy News Clips: Institute of International Studies, University of California, Berkeley

1/29/88: Into the Gulf

Editor's Note | I. Regional Conflict | II. Why Are We There? | III. Are We Ready to be There? | IV. Who Should Decide if We Should be There? | V. Allies and Arms Merchants | VI. The Soviet Union | VII. Regional Politics | [VIII. Update]

VIII. Update

"Gulf leaders enter the new year facing an array of political and economic dangers that cloud the region in uncertainty.

"Among the major questions facing the Gulf in 1988:

• "Will Iran attempt to follow through with its threats to invade Iraq, topple the Saudi royal family, destabilize Kuwait, force the United States Navy out of the Gulf, and foster the spread of its Islamic revolution to Arab shores?
• "Will the US and the Soviet Union put power differences aside and unite in a determined effort within the United Nations or elsewhere to end the seven-year war between Iran and Iraq?
• "Will the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) be able to limit its total oil production enough to dry up the world oil glut and stabilize the price of oil?"

Warren Richey, Christian Science Monitor, 1/4/88, p. 1

"Egypt is laying the groundwork for a significant expansion of its military presence in the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, taking a more conspicuous role in a widening Arab military confrontation with Iran."

Youssef M. Ibrahim, New York Times, 12/24/87, p. 4

"U.S. officials say there are strong indications that China is sending Iran either more Silkworm missiles or a newer and deadlier cruse missile that Iran could use in its 'tanker war' against Iraq in the Gulf."

David B. Ottaway, International Herald Tribune, 12/26/87, p. 1

"After a period of competition maneuvering over the war in the Persian Gulf, the United States and the Soviet Union seem on the verge of some wary diplomatic cooperation in moving toward a Security Council resolution imposing an arms embargo on Iran. But some uncertainties lie ahead."

David K. Shipler, New York Times, 12/29/87, p. 1

"The Soviets have launched a post-summit initiative in the Persian Gulf that is testing America's ability to cope with the Kremlin's diplomatic dynamism."

Robert E. Hunter, Oakland Tribune, 12/30/87, p. A11

"Five months after the United States began to expand its military operations in the Persian Gulf, the Navy continues to grope for the formula that would let it escort ships through the war zone with maximum safety and minimum force."

John H. Cushman, Jr., New York Times, 12/27/87, p. 1

Editor's Note | I. Regional Conflict | II. Why Are We There? | III. Are We Ready to be There? | IV. Who Should Decide if We Should be There? | V. Allies and Arms Merchants | VI. The Soviet Union | VII. Regional Politics | [VIII. Update]

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