Super Powers and Arab-Israeli Conflict

Since the Camp David agreement of September 1978 and Egypt–Israel peace treaty of March 1979, arms flows into West Asia have been stepped up and new alignment of forces has taken place. Thus, the US has gained in influence over Egypt and this, in turn, has released new forces in the region. The Soviets too have attempted to make effective use of the developing relationship between Egypt and the United States to enlarge their own influence in the area. These developments have divided the Arab world into moderate anti-Camp David States led by Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Jordan; hardline anti-Camp David States or steadfastness and confrontation front that includes Libya, Syria, Algeria, South Yemen and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), and the Camp David signatories: Egypt, Israel and the United States. While the moderate Arab States have tended to soften their stance, the hardliners have come out openly seeking Soviet military and political support. Meanwhile, the Camp David signatories, especially Egypt and the United States, have advanced towards a tacit alliance.