The Iron Wall von Shlaim, Avi

For this newly expanded edition, Avi Shlaim has added four
chapters and an epilogue that address the prime ministerships
from Barak to Netanyahu in the "one book everyone
should read for a concise history of Israel's relations with
Arabs" (Independent). What was promulgated as an "iron-wall"
strategy-building a position of unassailable strength-
was meant to yield to a further stage where Israel would be
strong enough to negotiate a satisfactory peace with its
neighbors. The goal still remains elusive, if not even further
away. This penetrating study brilliantly illuminates past progress
and future prospects for peace in the Middle East.