THE RUSH TO REARM

In the new world order so bravely predicated by President Bush after the overwhelming allied victory in the war against Iraq, there was a generally-held supposition that the future stability and security of the Gulf region was safely assured. It was also widely supposed that the main burden of Gulf regional defence would be carried by the US and its western allies and that the Gulf Arab countries would not have to concern themselves too directly with the defence of the region.