U.S. Policy in the Middle East

Quandt argues that "the basic American position adopted in 1967 has remained remarkably consistent" (Quandt 5). To bolster this claim, he cites a number of U.S. stands which have indeed remained central to American policy since 1967. That policy has been generally pro-Israeli, but not without reservations. For example, U.S. policy recognizes that "Israel should not be required to relinquish territories captured in 1967 without a quid pro quo from the Arab parties involving peace, security and recognition" (Quandt 5-6). Having made this claim for consistency, Quandt lists the four alternative theories which might explain such consistency. The three theories which Quandt rejects as central to U.S. policy in the Middle East, are the strategic-rational, the bureaucratic politics and domestic politics approaches. The strategic-rational model is rejected by Quandt because "anyone who has spent time in government will testify that policymaking is anything but orderly and rational" (Quandt 7). The bureaucratic

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ics may be used, but the general policy remains consistent. This seems to be true in other cases (Vietnam, Iraq, Iran, etc.) where incoming Presidents generally continue the policy of previous administrations, despite differences in views held when the Presidents first take office. It is as if the ongoing policy toward the Middle East is a hard mold which shapes the view of the incoming President, resulting in a consistent policy since 1967. The policy of the U.S. toward the Middle East has been consistent in part because the uncertainties of the region lead to reliance on policy of past Presidents. Also, Presidents and their aides enter office with a mind-set shaped by past policy: However such definitions emerge, whether through . . . experience or history, . . . wishful thinking and rationalization, or through group consensus, they will provide guidelines for action in the face of uncertainty (Quandt 20). Works Cited Hudson, Michael C. "The Clinton Administration and the Middle East." Current History. February 1994. 49-54. Quandt, William B. Peace Process. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution, 1993. Manuel Hassassian, in Kaufman, Abed and Rothstein (1993), argues that the Palestinians do have the roots of their movement
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1562
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

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