Maelstrom

Persian Gulf oil and the security of Israel continue to be immensely important to the United States. Protecting these interests requires the cooperation of the countries of southern European. Several factors, including the end of the cold war and fears generated by the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, have contributed to the promise of Israeli-Palestinian peace. But as this prospect develops into reality, the U.S. government's willingness to turn a blind eye to the repressive practices of its friends in the Arab world, most importantly, Egypt, will diminish.