Efraim Karsh Boeken

Focusing on the experiences of neutral European states during World War II and the postwar period, the book explores both practical and theoretical aspects of neutrality. It delves into the complexities of these nations' positions and the broader implications for small states. By analyzing their unique challenges and strategies, the work provides insights into how neutrality shaped their wartime experiences and influenced their postwar recovery.

The book critiques the "new historians" who challenge traditional Israeli historiography by portraying Israel as the main antagonist in the Arab-Israeli conflict. It examines their arguments that suggest a distorted "Zionist narrative" has shaped perceptions of history, particularly since 1946. The author delves into the implications of this perspective and its impact on understanding the complexities of the region's ongoing violence and historical events.

Rejecting the conventional Western interpretation of Middle Eastern history as an offshoot of global power politics, the author contends that the region's experience is the culmination of long-existing indigenous trends, passions and patterns of behaviour, and that foremost among these is Islam's millenarian imperial tradition.

Rejecting the view of modern Middle Eastern history as an offshoot of global power politics, the authors argue that the main impetus for the developments of the momentous long 19th century (1789-1923) came from local actors. They see a pattern of pragmatic cooperation and conflict between the Middle East and the West during the past two centuries. schovat popis

The 1947 UN resolution to partition Palestine irrevocably changed the political landscape of the Middle East, giving rise to six full-fledged wars between Arabs and Jews, countless armed clashes, blockades, and terrorism. This title tells the story from both the Arab and Jewish perspectives. číst celé

The Iran-Iraq War, which ended in August 1988 - one month short of its eighth anniversary - was one of the longest, bloodiest, and costliest Third World armed conflicts in the twentieth century. Professor Karsh addresses the causes of the Iran-Iraq War, unpacking the objectives of the two belligerents and examining how far objectives were matched by strategy. He assesses the war's military lessons regarding such key areas as strategy, tactics, and escalation and, in particular, the use of non-conventional weapons. Finally, he examines the utility of armed force as an instrument of foreign policy

The Palestine War has been by far the most important military encounter in the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict. This book examines the origins of the war and its progression through two distinct the guerrilla warfare between the Arab and Jewish communities of Mandatory Palestine, and the conventional inter-state war between the State of Israel and the invading Arab armies. In doing so it assesses the participants, their war aims, strategies and combat performance. Finally, it examines the reasons for Israel's success in the face of seemingly impossible odds and for the failure of the Arab nations to turn their military and numerical superiority into victory on the ground.

The paper delves into the complex dynamics of Soviet-Syrian relations, highlighting the economic, military, and political commitments exchanged since Asad's rise to power in 1970. It emphasizes how substantial Soviet military support has reinforced Syria's pro-Soviet stance while also acknowledging Asad's strategic considerations of national interests in shaping this alliance. The analysis concludes that both Moscow and Damascus have benefitted from their interdependent partnership, illustrating the multifaceted nature of their engagement in the region.

Challenging conventional views in Middle East studies, the author argues that the narrative of victimization oversimplifies the region's complexities. Instead of attributing the Middle East's political turmoil primarily to Western imperialism, the book emphasizes the significant role of regional factors and local agency. It highlights that even during the decline of the Ottoman Empire, the people of the Middle East actively influenced their political landscape, suggesting a more nuanced understanding of the region's historical and contemporary dynamics.