ABSTRACT
The crisis brought about a tightening of Israel's political and military ties with the United States. America's great military success in the Gulf motivated it to undertake a renewed effort to advance the Arab-Israel peace process in the Middle East. During the Gulf War the Soviet Union reminded everybody concerned, that it was still a factor in the Middle East, where it retained some influence. A military strengthening of the Gulf states led by Saudi Arabia is to be expected, but Iran's position has also been strengthened, if only because of Iraq's debacle. Any drawing of lessons must take fully into account these peculiar circumstances that prevailed during the crisis and the war. One of the basic principles in Israeli strategic doctrine is that the war should be "transferred" as early and as quickly as possible onto enemy territory. A renewed arms race again in the Middle East seems already to have begun.
