VOL. XXXII

NO. 45

14-AUGUST-1989

The Middle East Situation

As the dust kicked up by Israel's kidnapping of a Hizbollah official fromsouth Lebanon settles, Iran and the US have sent unmistakable signals to eachother that they wish to avoid a confrontation brought about by a third party,and this fragile community of interests has raised hopes that Tehran andWashington will now be able to establish channels of communication which willeventually allow the hostage issue to be solved. This is not...