Ambassador Richard Murphy presented an extensive analysis of the prospects for peace in the Middle East. As an old hand in Middle East affairs, he offered his insights as to how American foreign policy in the Middle East can be most effective. Ambassador Murphy gave a detailed description of the region’s major countries, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.

He pointed out that the days ahead are going to be very difficult for those involved in trying to negotiate peace between the Arabs and the Israelis, but in reality, the future sounds less gloomy than it is. Ambassador Murphy pointed out that the region is undergoing a fundamental change following the deaths of King Hassan of Morocco and King Hussein of Jordan. He also dealt with the issues affecting the entire Gulf region, and underlined that the ongoing sales of armaments, especially weapons of mass destruction from China and North Korea, is the most acute problem we are facing.

On the issue of Iraq, he said Washington is stuck. He predicted that Saddam Hussein will stay in power for a long time, and it would be wise for the U.S. to open a channel of communication with him. In Ambassador Murphy’s opinion, an American accommodation with Iran is more encouraging. He does not expect an imminent war in the Middle East and hopes that, for at least a decade, we can stay without war in the region unless the water situation overwhelms the area’s leaders..

In closing, Ambassador Murphy felt that the U.S. must be prepared to "stay the course" by making our presence acceptable to both the Middle East and the American people.