ABSTRACT
The Middle East, as a link among Europe, Asia and Africa, and as a nexus of communications, was important to both superpowers. The proximity of the Soviet Union from its southern borders to the Middle East, and therefore its interest in the area, made it mandatory for the United States to act in the region in order to contain the Soviet Union. Although the main instrument of the superpowers’ policy in the Middle East was arms supply, the Soviet Union had the upper hand in the market. The only case so far in the Middle East in which successful crisis management and resolution ultimately led to conflict resolution. With US success in the Gulf War the stage has been set for serious Middle East conflict resolution with good chances for success. “Pre-resolution maneuvering/posturing,” whether directly or indirectly through the client, was acceptable to both; but they always stopped short of confrontation.
