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The Arab Spring and U.S. Policy: The View from Jerusalem

(Wall Street Journal) Ted Koppel - The canary in the coal mine on the degree to which America's allies can trust U.S. foreign policy is Israel. None of America's allies is more sensitive to even the most subtle changes in the international environment, or more conscious of the slightest hint of diminished support from Washington. On a recent visit to Jerusalem, I met with a number of very senior current and former government officials. The Israeli government is so concerned that America's adversaries may miscalculate U.S. intentions that it is privately urging Washington to make it clear that the U.S. would intervene in Saudi Arabia should the survival of that government be threatened. Absent such a public recommitment, they worry that Iran will be encouraged to even greater mischief. The outlook from Jerusalem these days is not encouraging. Iranian influence is growing throughout the Persian Gulf and beyond. Egypt's commitment to its peace treaty with Israel is uncertain. Syria could explode into total chaos at any moment. And Jordan's stability is in question.
2011-04-29 00:00:00
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