Over the Middle East last week hung a cloud of feara vague foreboding not felt since the days of the Suez war. Under its influence the Lebanese, alarmed by repeated discoveries of smuggled arms, reinforced their police patrols along the Syrian borders. Under its influence King Saud, accompanied by 50 retainers in two Convairs, flew unexpectedly into Beirut to see Lebanon's President Camille Chamoun and Premier Sami Solh.
In directionless confusion, people feared the Israelis, the Americans, the Russians, fellow Arabsanyone who might start something. They talked about the latest Soviet fleet...