Word: arabize
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...summit is going to debate a lot of the specifics, but Arab leaders are being driven to lift sanctions both by strong Arab public opinion against sanctions and by economic factors. A lot of Arab countries stand to gain if sanctions are eased, giving them greater access to trade with Iraq in lean times. But most Arab regimes also don't trust Saddam, and some, such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, are adamant that if sanctions are to be lifted, Iraq must pay a price - in some form of apology to Kuwait and undertaking to never again invade. But Iraq...
...matter how the summit fine-tunes its resolutions in search of compromise, it's worth noting that Iraq has made important inroads against sanctions and in getting back to the center of Arab politics. The Saudis and Kuwait are actually on the defensive against Iraqi pressure going into this summit. Still, U.N. sanctions, which are tied to weapons inspections, will remain in place regardless of what transpires at the Arab League. So Saddam may be moving around quite a bit and making some noise in what the Americans like to call his "box," but he's a long way from...
...American approach may succeed, largely because the Americans have now come around to what most Arab governments have been saying for some years - that comprehensive sanctions are hurting ordinary Iraqis but are not helping overthrow Saddam, and that they're giving him ammunition for his propaganda war. The position that economic sanctions that hurt the people rather than the regime should be lifted will be a point of consensus between mainstream Arab opinion and the U.S. But a crucial test remains to what extent Syria and Jordan will continue to tolerate smuggling, because right now Arab economies are hurting...
...America's Arab allies have made it clear that this talk of regime change has got to stop, and the bombing of Iraq to penalize it for this or that infraction has also got to stop. They want a more toned-down approach. There is some recognition in Washington now that the U.S. has lost the battle to overthrow Saddam. It may happen, but it can't be ordained. And with it has come the recognition that keeping Saddam in a box may be a useful end in itself, particularly if it can be done without alienating Arab opinion...
...What can we expect from the Arab League on the Israeli-Palestinian question...