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Middle East Policy
After World War II the United States emerged as the major power in the Middle East. Petroleum, an important ingredient in the Allies’ military success in World War II, continued to fuel post-war American prosperity. Consequently, United States policy makers realized that the oil rich region generally known as the “Middle East” or “Near East” held vital interests which required protection from the USSR and other hostile elements in the area.
“As the United States involved itself more deeply in Middle Eastern affairs, however, it encountered many complications of which maneuvering by the USSR were only one. The increased involvement of the United States in the Middle East coincided with the emergence of Arab nations as independent entities and the establishment of the state of Israel. These factors virtually guaranteed conflicts and misunderstandings. Not only did the United States find itself at odds with major Arab states on questions involving Israel or on perceptions of the Soviet Union, but other factors also worked to create friction. In summary, the United States encountered a culture in the Arab nations with sharply differing views of the world, based on different social mores, ethics, and psychological characteristics.
“As the United States involved itself more deeply in Middle Eastern affairs, however, it encountered many complications of which maneuvering by the USSR were only one. The increased involvement of the United States in the Middle East coincided with the emergence of Arab nations as independent entities and the establishment of the state of Israel. These factors virtually guaranteed conflicts and misunderstandings. Not only did the United States find itself at odds with major Arab states on questions involving Israel or on perceptions of the Soviet Union, but other factors also worked to create friction. In summary, the United States encountered a culture in the Arab nations with sharply differing views of the world, based on different social mores, ethics, and psychological characteristics.
- Appointment with the Prince Walm, Deputy P.M. of Afghanistan
- Basic and Current Attitudes in the Middle East
- Denial and conservation of Middle East Oil Resources, Dec. 22, 1953
- Intelligence Report, The Crisis of Modernization in the Near East
- Memo of Conference with middle east leaders, Oct. 5, 1960
- Memo on Saudi Arabia, May 18, 1953
- NSC Policy Governing the MIddle East
- Psychological Strategy Program for the Middle East
- Response on letter from His Majesty King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia
- Synopsis with DDE and the King of Saudi Arabia, Jan. 30, 1957
- Translation and original of leader from the King of the Kinddom of Saudi Arabia
- Visit of Afghanistans Prime Ministers with the Unites States, June 1958