TO PLAY THE HEGEMON - 50 YEARS OF US POLICY TOWARD THE MIDDLE-EAST

Today the United States stands as the dominant power over the Middle E ast. This paper first reviews how Washington successfully pursued its three main objectives-Israel, oil and anti-communism-in the post-World War II period. It then analyzes the present US Middle East policy-mak ing process, and suggests that it needs to be broadened to include alt ernative perspectives on major regional issues. The last part looks fo rward at ''The New Middle East'' envisioned by the Clinton administrat ion, and warns that hegemony, if pursued arrogantly, can endanger basi c US national interests.