There has been much talk in the United States since September 11, 2001 about the importance of “connecting the dots” in analyzing global intelligence information. This means that different bits of information from various sources should be linked to each other to provide a fuller picture of an actual or imminent security threat that is not apparent from a single act or source of intelligence.
The same process of connecting the dots is useful for any American interested in learning why the United States now finds itself in the unenviable situation of fighting two wars in the greater Middle East with limited success, pushing very hard for a resumption of Arab-Israeli peace negotiations with equally elusive achievements, steadily moving towards a more strident confrontation with Iran, and, seeing Arab public perception of the US drop precipitously in the past year.
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