principally in terms of Soviet American tensions. 'The difference between our goal and the Soviet goal in the Middle East,' Nixon said, 'is very simple but fundamental. We want peace. They want the Middle East. . . . We are for Israel because Israel in our view is the only state in the Mideast which is pro freedom and an effective opponent to Soviet expansion. . . . The Soviets are the main cause of Middle East tensions. . . ."
Clearly, the Kissinger Nixon approach to the Middle East was flawed for a number of reasons. First, it put the conflict in the area in Soviet American Cold War terms, when, as stated, the conflict is centuries old and predated the Cold War, therefore. Second, it conveniently bypasses the fact that our interest in
Israel is far more strategic than it is based on a love for
freedom. The United States has demonstrated a willingness, even
an eagerness to support any government which in turn demonstrates an anti Soviet policy. Third, it sells the Arabs short by arguing that the Arabs are pawns of the Soviets and that they
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