The moves last week were ambiguous, their importance in the long run far from certain. But after a year of unusual quiescence on Washington's part, the U.S. once again emerged as a player in the bridge game of Middle East diplomacy. While American officials were careful to damp down expectations, the opening bids were tantalizing. Items:
-- Saudi Arabia's King Fahd paid a five-day state visit to Washington, the first by a monarch from the Desert Kingdom in 14 years. His principal message: the U.S. has a responsibility to use its influence in an effort aimed at achieving peace between Israel...