In the aftermath of the Persian Gulf war, the United States wanted to set up a six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council involving nearby Arab states, but so far, only Kuwait seems willing to leave the Middle East door ajar for American bases and supply dumps. Perhaps that is just as well. The old policy of keeping a low profile in the region may still be best - and even more effective.
Details of a joint security pact between Washington and Kuwait were made public this week. Under the treaty, stockpiles of U.S. equipment will be left in Kuwait and there will be periodic military exercises and joint training in Kuwait over the next 10 years.The Pentagon - convinced that any future Middle East emergency won't allow five months to build up strength - wanted an arrangement with several Arab nations for stockpiles of heavy equipment and access to ports and airfields.
But the Arabs, sensitive to any American presence, have been reluctant to provide for what amounts to permanent bases. Only Kuwait, still nervous about its neighbors of Iraq and Iran, is comforted by having U.S. troops on the scene. American soldiers, rotating from assignment in Germany, will be in Kuwait for months to come.
There is no reason to be disappointed at the lack of general Arab cooperation. Since the crushing of Saddam Hussein's forces in the Persian Gulf, the internal collapse of the Soviet Union, and the decline of PLO influence, the likelihood of military adventures by any other Arab aggressors seems remote.
Israel is the most likely target, but Israel has the most powerful army in the Middle East, and its patron, the United States, is the dominant world figure since the Soviets have ceased to be an opposing force or even a serious factor in the region.
The deal with Kuwait, as limited as it is, should be enough to remind any potential troublemakers of the U.S. presence - without all the problems that U.S. bases in several Arab nations would eventually attract.