The Gulf: America Abroad: The Dangers of Demonization

According to a perverse law of international politics, hard-liners on opposing sides tend to reinforce each other's stubbornness and influence, especially in times of tension. Consider the interaction between Baghdad and Jerusalem. Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir's Likud government is hoping that Iraq's conquest of Kuwait will make it easier for Israel to retain possession of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Before the crisis broke, Shamir's Foreign Minister, David Levy, intended to visit Washington last week for what had promised to be a tough session. Secretary of State James Baker was prepared to bear down hard on the need to jump-start...