In the Middle East and Persian Gulf, we should seek to foster regional stability, deter aggression
against our friends and interests in the region, protect U.S. nationals and property, and safeguard our access to international air and seaways and to the regionís important sources of oil. We should strive to encourage a peace process that brings about reconciliation between Israel and the Arab states as well as between Palestinians and Israel in a manner consonant with our enduring commitment to Israelís security. Some near-term dangers are alleviated with the defeat of Iraqi forces, but we must recognize that regional dynamics can change and a rejuvenated Iraq or a rearmed Iran could move in this decade to dominate the Gulf and its resources. We must remain prepared to act decisively in the Middle East/Persian Gulf region as we did in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm if our vital interests there are threatened anew.