The continuing Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and the dislocations caused
by the Iraq-Iran war serve as constant reminders of the critical importance
for us, and our allies, of a third strategic zone stretching across the
Middle East, the Persian Gulf, and much of the Indian subcontinent. This
Southwest Asian region has served as a key strategic and commercial link
between East and West over the centuries. Today it produces two-thirds of
the world's oil exports, providing most of the energy needs of our European
allies and Japan. It has experienced almost continuous conflict between
nations, internal instabilities in many countries, and regional rivalries,
combined with very rapid economic and social change. And now the Soviet
Union remains in occupation of one of these nations, ignoring world opinion
which has called on it to get out.
We have taken several measures to meet these challenges.