Brookings Institute Warns U.S. Against Arming Arab States

“The Arab quarrel with Israel makes the arming of the Arab states a dangerous project, since it could lead not to improved regional defense but to an attack on Israel,” the Brookings Institute warned in a report published today.

The report, dealing with major problems of U.S. foreign policy, said that the Arabs are probably less inclined than ever to join a regional defense organization “in view of the latest Soviet peace offensive.” The Arabs, the report stated, indicate “a marked lack of awareness of any menace from the Soviet Union. ” Israel, however, was portrayed as a reliable friend of the West.

“The pressing need to create a position of strength in the immediate future implies reliance upon and support of existing (Arab) regime.” the report stated. “Yet there is little reassuring evidence that these (Arab) regimes are capable of improvement or modernization, or of transmitting any benefits received to the purposes with the ends sought by programs of economic and technical assistance.

The report pointed out that “although there is a vague desire for some sort of joint action, the Arab states find it difficult to accept the idea that they must join the West in pact directed essentially against the Soviet United while the Western Powers are at one in backing Great Britain and France and in supporting the local threat of Israel.”

Brookings studies are widely used by government officials, political scientists, universities, and other individuals and Institutions concerned with apprising international affairs. The Institute’s Intentional program is aided by the Carnage Corporation and the Rockefeller Foundation. The preparation of the current volume was aided financially by the Rockefeller Foundation.