Lest we forget, old alliances need maintaining

While this all too distractible administration has been busy forging new ties between this country and both Koreas, it may have overlooked the need to reinforce old understandings in the Middle East. There the Israelis and Saudis, whatever their own differences, have developed a working relationship with the United States. It's all part of a complex and contradictory pattern, but that's the Middle East -- and those who would hold