ABSTRACT
Many Arab intellectuals and decision makers are slowly being convinced that the IranIraq conflict reflects a test of wills between different concepts of life and different civilizations. Historical, military, political, economic and even personality factors are intertwined in the conflict to give the impression that these are not mere border disputes or limited conflicts. Arab culture in the Middle East seems to be surrounded by hostile forces that wish to reduce it, if not altogether change it drastically.
