http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;sessionid=BJHGOC5FNMSYHQFIQMGSM5WAVCBQWJVC?xml=/news/2004/08/01/wolf01.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/08/01/ixworld.htmlRevealed: the special relationship behind America's Middle East policy
(Filed: 01/08/2004)
Paul Wolfowitz, the US deputy defence secretary who was a driving force behind the invasion of Iraq , is depicted as a fiercely pro-Zionist hardliner. Philip Sherwell reveals his unlikely confidante is a high-powered Arab divorcee with whom he is said to be closely involved
Political foes of Paul Wolfowitz like to portray him as a leading light in Washington's so-called 'Zionist conspiracy', part of a small cabal of Jewish neo-conservatives driving a blindly pro-Israel policy in the Middle East.
Paul Wolfowitz: surprising friend and confidante
The US deputy secretary of defence was one of the original architects of the war to overthrow Saddam Hussein and remains an enthusiastic advocate of spreading democracy in the Middle East, despite the setbacks in Iraq. For his detractors, it is evidence that he is pursuing an agenda hostile to Arab regimes, particularly ones as virulently opposed to Israel as Saddam's.
Critics have also latched on to the fact that his sister, Laura, a biologist, lives in Israel as proof for their theory. Indeed she does; she even has an Israeli husband. But although she rarely talks about politics, the reality is that she is a moderate rather than a hawkish settler or enthusiastic backer of Ariel Sharon, Israel's hardline prime minister.
In fact, there is a woman from whom Mr Wolfowitz does draw support and backing for his views, but she comes from a very different - and unexpected - background. The Telegraph can reveal that his closest companion and most valued confidantes is a middle-aged Arab feminist whose own strongly held views on instilling democracy in her native Middle East have helped bolster his resolve.
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