A perceptive and provocative history of Henry Kissinger's diplomatic negotiations in the Middle East that illuminates the unique challenges and barriers Kissinger and his successors have faced in their attempts to broker peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors. “A wealth of lessons for today, not only about the challenges in that region but also about the art of diplomacy . . . the drama, dazzling maneuvers, and grand strategic vision.”—Walter Isaacson, author of The Code Breaker More than twenty years have elapsed since the United States last brokered a peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians. In that time, three presidents have tried and failed. Martin Indyk—a former United States ambassador to Israel and special envoy for the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations in 2013—has experienced these political frustrations and disappointments firsthand. Now, in an attempt to understand the arc of American diplomatic influence in the Middle East, he returns to the origins of American-led peace efforts and to the man who created the Middle East peace process—Henry Kissinger. Based on newly available documents from American and Israeli archives, extensive interviews with Kissinger, and Indyk's own interactions with some of the main players, the author takes readers inside the negotiations. Here is a roster of larger-than-life characters—Anwar Sadat, Golda Meir, Moshe Dayan, Yitzhak Rabin, Hafez al-Assad, and Kissinger himself. Indyk's account is both that of a historian poring over the records of these events, as well as an inside player seeking to glean lessons for Middle East peacemaking. He makes clear that understanding Kissinger's design for Middle East peacemaking is key to comprehending how to—and how not to—make peace.

"A lively account of Israel's evolving military prowess...if The Weapon Wizards were a novel, it would be one written by Horatio Alger; if it were a biblical allegory, it would be the story of David and Goliath." —The New York Times Book Review From drones to satellites, missile defense systems to cyber warfare, Israel is leading the world when it comes to new technology being deployed on the modern battlefield. The Weapon Wizards shows how this tiny nation of 8 million learned to adapt to the changes in warfare and in the defense industry and become the new prototype of a 21st century superpower, not in size, but rather in innovation and efficiency—and as a result of its long war experience. Sitting on the front lines of how wars are fought in the 21st century, Israel has developed in its arms trade new weapons and retrofitted old ones so they remain effective, relevant, and deadly on a constantly-changing battlefield. While other countries begin to prepare for these challenges, they are looking to Israel—and specifically its weapons—for guidance. Israel is, in effect, a laboratory for the rest of the world. How did Israel do it? And what are the military and geopolitical implications of these developments? These are some of the key questions Yaakov Katz and Amir Bohbot address. Drawing on a vast amount of research, and unparalleled access to the Israeli defense establishment, this book is a report directly from the front lines.

Laying the foundation for an understanding of US-Israeli relations, this lively and accessible book provides critical background on the origins and development of the 'special' relations between Israel and the United States. Questioning the usual neo-realist approach to understanding this relationship, David Tal instead suggests that the relations between the two nations were constructed on idealism, political culture, and strategic ties. Based on a diverse range of primary sources collected in archives in both Israel and the United States, The Making of an Alliance discusses the development of relations built through constant contact between people and ideas, showing how presidents and Prime Ministers, state officials, and ordinary people from both countries, impacted one another. It was this constancy of religion, values, and history, serving the bedrock of the relations between the two countries and peoples, over which the ephemeral was negotiated.

Explorer, musician, and educator Sam Zebba is a modern-day Renaissance Man. In humorous yet penetrating lines he recreates events which he experienced throughout his well-travelled life. Aspects of My Life is a celebration of optimism, warmth, and awe toward all fellow human beings. Bestowed with wit, realism, and knowledge, Zebba is as keen an observer as he is deeply empathetic. With the vivid portraits of those he learned from, shared with, pleaded and fought for, an epoch comes to life. Caroline Fetscher, historian and editor at large, Berlin Zebba writes of his experiences with the same verve and insight that he brought to his extraordinary career. In a life filled with challenges and adventure, he has filled his years with what most people only dream about. Prof. Ernie Rose, documentary film specialist & retired Fine Arts college dean, USA Aspect of My Life is a touching, evocative, beautifully observed odyssey, full of resonances and impressionistic imagery. It is the best kind of writing. Dr. John Lazarus, literary critic, formerly Principal of Yehudi Menuhin School, London

This book examines the processes, practices and principles of defence planning in small and middle powers. Small and middle powers are recalibrating their force postures in this age of disruption. They are adapting their defence planning and military innovation processes to protect the security of their nations. The purpose of this book is to explore defence planning and military innovation in 11 contemporary case studies of small and middle powers in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Oceania. Employing a structured focused comparison framework, it traces patterns in the choices of small and middle powers across the following themes: (1) alliances, dependencies and national ambitions; (2) approaches, processes, methods and techniques; and (3) military innovation strategies and outcomes. Breaking new theoretical ground, it offers a three-pronged typology distinguishing between the strategic defence planner, the transactional defence planners and the complacent defence planner. The book offers a rich array of insights into cases that fall across different geographies, strategic cultures and governance systems. These insights can help guide discussions on how to structure decision-making structures, arrive at ambition levels, formulate priorities, select partners and design defence planning and military innovation processes. This book will be of much interest to students of defence studies, security studies, public policy and international relations, as well as to professionals in defence planning.

Eilam's Arc reveals the inside story on how Israel became a military technology powerhouse within a period of less than two generations. The book blends the broad view of an individual who led the creation of incredibly far-sighted research and development programs with intimate portraits of the main players in a complex strategy that spans continents, corporations, and armies. More than any other account, it explains how a very small country was able to make a concentrated use of its limited assets with astute leverage of international relationships, while at the same time creating the backbone of Israeli civilian technology industries. Brigadier General Uzi Eilam was born and raised in a deeply socialist kibbutz where science and learning were scorned as useless and effete. His is the journey that an entire country, made from devising a better spade to creating an internationally competitive space program. During this journey, Eilam learned step-by-step how to manage the complex relationship with the United States, which he says was willing to supply Israel with high technology only if it knew that Israel was well on its way to developing its own version of the same technology. Eilam's Arc will be of interest not only to military historians, but also to those who have an interest in innovation and innovation policy. Israeli innovation policies, both civilian and military, have a proven track record of success, and Uzi Eilam explains how governments can nurture, stimulate, and lead individuals, corporations, and foreign partners towards a desired goal.

This unique volume intensively studies the nature and extent of US - Israeli relations, from 1948 through the Bush and Obama administrations. Leading experts in the field (including Israeli and North American scholars from a variety of political perspectives) contribute original essays on the principal political, religious, ethnic, military, economic, and juridical connections between the United States and Israel. Specific topics covered in this new book include: the pro-Israel lobby in the United States; the US Jewish community and its relations to Israel; evangelical Christians and Israel; military and economic ties between the United States and Israel; the threat of a nuclear Iran for both countries; and the impact of American jurisprudence on Israel. Section introductions from the editor effectively contextualize the issues and provide students with an in-depth understanding of the past, present, and future of the US - Israel relationship.