Introduction

Arab states have been studied from many angles. Students of Arab politics have focused more attention on regional dynamics than on single-actor behavior. There is no lack of analyses dealing, for instance, with inter-Arab relations or the Arab-Israeli conflict. Arab states share a number of norms and pan-Arab core concerns such as Arabism, the Palestine problem, and nonalignment. All Arab states-particularly those desiring to perform an influential regional role-address themselves to these core concerns. The second Gulf war represents a watershed in the development of the region. It demonstrated the fragility of Arab territorial integrity, heightened the conflict between pan-Arabist aspiration and individual states, and initiated a new round of the Arab cold war. More specifically, the notion that one Arab country could constitute a threat to another Arab country became more pronounced, creating an atmosphere of mistrust. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.