Mideast Governments Watching U.S. Vote

[cal04]

Arab governments are looking for change in U.S. policy in the Middle East after the midterm elections, hoping a politically weakened President Bush will talk with Iran and Syria, show greater interest in the Palestinians and find a way out of the crisis in Iraq.

Israel too is watching for any sign of change in U.S. strategy - especially toward the Palestinians, Syria and Iran.

``The whole region is volatile and it cannot face more problems and challenges,'' Arab League official Hesham Youssef said in a recent interview. ``They cannot leave it like this, neither in Iraq nor in Gaza nor in Lebanon. More conflicts could be ahead.''

(snip)
Bush has spoken repeatedly of his dream of creating a new Middle East. But five years later, most analysts believe few things have improved. And, U.S. influence in the region is at a low point, in part because despite Saddam Hussein's overthrow, Iraq has never stabilized.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6181199,00.html

[rpannier]

1. The Saudi and Kuwaiti Royal families are watching this closely I'm sure

They're probably having nightmares that their gravytrain is going over the edge of a cliff.

[DRoseDARs]

2. Gee, I thought only the terrorists were watching...

Will the Bush Administration blame Israel and the entire Arab Middle East for a Dem win next Tuesday or will they publicly thank Saudi Arabia for 2 more years of compliant Republican rule should they "magically" keep hold in Congress? :eyes:

[bemildred]

3. Well, he's definitely created a new Middle East.

Not the one he wanted, true.