The Risks of New Policies

If the fedayeen continue to grow, they could so embitter an already desperate situation that a peace settlement might become impossible and a new war likely. To avoid such a showdown, Washington may be forced to reconsider its official policy of leaving the Israelis and Arabs to settle their own affairs and join with the Russians in an attempt to impose a peace settlement. The Administration already feels that Israel's discussions of various plans for settling occupied territories is a diplomatic blunder, reinforcing Arab claims that Israel is bent on expansion and likely to bring on irresistible popular demands for war. Israel has reacted angrily to U.S. pressures to return most of the occupied territories. Any additional attempt to impose a settlement would pose several risks for President-elect Nixon—who last week sent former Pennsylvania Governor William Scranton on a tour of the Middle East to sound positions on both sides. Among those risks: the wrath of the U.S. Jewish community and other pro-Israeli sympathizers. Yet, asks Washington, what is the alternative to taking a strong diplomatic hand? It could be for the United States to find itself trapped in the ring with the equally reluctant Russians, should the Arabs and Israelis square off for another round of full-scale war.