ABSTRACT
Starting anew, Washington is trying to continue its exclusive role in a "peaceful solution" to the Middle East issue. Moscow, on the other hand, has been overhauling its tactics in an effort to snatch the initiative from its opponent, once again showing its true features of sham support but real betrayal in its relations with the Arab people. A new round of contention for hegemony in the Middle East between the two superpowers, the Soviet Union and the United States, is on. The Soviet Union too has overhauled its tactics in the light of US activities. On the one hand, it has launched large-scale diplomatic campaigns to try to seize the initiative for a "peaceful solution" to the Middle East question. On the other, it is energetically seeking new "footings" in Arab countries to bolster its position in the rivalry with the United States.
