Ehud Eilam – författare

Israel borders four states – Syria, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, and two entities – the Palestinian authority in the West Bank and Hamas in the Gaza stip. In recent years, despite incidents on the border with Syria and Egypt, the basic strategic status quo with these countries has not changed, and the overall balance of power between Israel and the Arabs has been maintained. Due to its military might, none of Israel's Arab neighbours are able to defeat it. Israel, however, for political, economic and military reasons, avoids enforcing its will and interfering in internal Arab matters and has successfully managed to stay out of the Arab turmoil.Israel, the Arabs and Iran gives a detailed overview of the various national security challenges that Israel has faced since 2011. It explains the key considerations and constraints Israel has had to deal with on several fronts, from its northern border with Lebanon to its southern border with Egypt. The book provides the reader with a deep understanding of why and how Israel has struggled to keep the status quo, whilst a large part of the Middle East remains in turmoil. The book is aimed at anyone studying Israel, its Foreign Policy, Middle Eastern Politics and International Relations. It will also appeal to government officials, military officers and anyone working or interested in national security issues concerning the Middle East and particularly Israel.

Israel borders four states – Syria, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, and two entities – the Palestinian authority in the West Bank and Hamas in the Gaza stip. In recent years, despite incidents on the border with Syria and Egypt, the basic strategic status quo with these countries has not changed, and the overall balance of power between Israel and the Arabs has been maintained. Due to its military might, none of Israel's Arab neighbours are able to defeat it. Israel, however, for political, economic and military reasons, avoids enforcing its will and interfering in internal Arab matters and has successfully managed to stay out of the Arab turmoil.Israel, the Arabs and Iran gives a detailed overview of the various national security challenges that Israel has faced since 2011. It explains the key considerations and constraints Israel has had to deal with on several fronts, from its northern border with Lebanon to its southern border with Egypt. The book provides the reader with a deep understanding of why and how Israel has struggled to keep the status quo, whilst a large part of the Middle East remains in turmoil. The book is aimed at anyone studying Israel, its Foreign Policy, Middle Eastern Politics and International Relations. It will also appeal to government officials, military officers and anyone working or interested in national security issues concerning the Middle East and particularly Israel.

Israel has fought many wars since its founding in 1948, from conventional military conflicts with Arab forces to irregular clashes with guerrilla and terror groups. A study of these confrontations reveals strategic and military patterns. Written by a former member of the Israel Defense Forces, this book compares the wars fought in Lebanon against the Palestine Liberation Organization (1982) and against Hezbollah (2006), and in the Gaza Strip (1956, 1967, 2008-2009 and 2014). The author draws similarities between Israel and Western nations--mainly the United States and Britain--in their waging of conventional and irregular warfare, and offers a comparison of the Vietnam War to Israel's struggle with Hezbollah in the 1990s.

Israel’s military doctrine was aimed at defeating powerful Arab militaries, mostly those of Egypt, Syria and Jordan. In the years 1948-1982 Israel and Arab states had a series of wars i.e. high intensity wars. Israel, since 1948, also dealt with guerrilla and terror attacks. Since 1982 and mostly in the last 15 years Israel faced hybrid forces, Hamas and Hezbollah. Those groups are a mix between a conventional military and a guerrilla group. Israel fought against Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006 and against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, mostly in two wars, in 2008-2009 and in 2014. This book begins with explaining Israel’s national security policy. Then it focuses on how the IDF (Israel defense forces) had to adjust its doctrine and build up to confront hybrid forces, by examining Israel’s air and the ground corps and major issues such as offense and defense, infrastructure and manpower. The IDF can inflict heavy casualties and damages to a hybrid foe. Yet destroying the latter is a tall order because Hezbollah and Hamas are too elusive, they hide inside populated areas etc. However, compared with past wars against Arab states, there is much less danger to Israel let alone to its survival since even a coalition between Hezbollah, Hamas and other groups can’t defeat the IDF. Furthermore since fighting a hybrid force is less demanding than running a high intensity war against an Arab state, then Israel does not rely that much on the United States in receiving weapon systems, ammunition and spare parts.

Israel’s New Wars examines Israel’s recent conflicts with Iran and its partners. The book’s key focus is how these wars differ from those fought between 1948 and 1982. In the wake of its independence, Israel fought a series of high-intensity wars against Arab states. Since then, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have fought several confrontations and numerous smaller actions against non-state actors such as Hezbollah and Hamas, and have also been engaged in a long-running ‘cold war’ with Iran, mostly over Iran’s nuclear program. Author Dr. Ehud Eilam explores the lessons learned by Israel in these conflicts, and how they have influenced strategy and doctrine. He also makes a major new assessment of the structure of the IDF, and evaluates its capacity in fighting Iran and its allies.This book is essential for anyone who wishes to understand the present and future of the Middle East."Dr. Eilam offers meticulous analysis and in- depth discussion of current Israeli military history in a way that few historians do."—Brig. General (Res.) Dr. Dani Asher author and defence expert"This carefully researched study sheds light on the multifaceted efforts of the IDF to manage and overcome the threats posed by Hamas and Hezbollah. Eilam’s balanced and nuanced analysis provides a revealing account of these endeavors."—John Calabrese, The American University, Washington, DC"Israel’s New Wars is a must- read book not only analyzes the conflicts between Israel and Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas, but also provides an intriguing and comprehensive study of how the IDF can prepare to fight non- state actors."—Brig. General (Ret.) Ilan Paz"There is a lot of important information contained within this book, focusing on Ehud Eilam’s highly valuable insights on various combat events and their impacts on the IDF and its combat doctrine development."—Brig. General (Ret.) Gideon Avidor, Head of The Institute for Advanced Military Thinking"Ehud Eilam offers a timely and well researched assessment of the history of 21st century conflicts pitting Israel against Hamas and Hezbollah. Most significantly, the author identifies and explains the distinctions between those conflicts and prior Arab- Israeli Wars."—Dr. Bob Pauly, The University of Southern Mississippi

This book analyzes major national security issues in the Middle East, focusing on those regarding Israel, which could have negative implications on the United States. Currently, Israel is concerned with Iran’s nuclear program, its regional ambitions, and Hezbollah’s arsenal. Other major concerns facing Israel are the chemical weapons in Syria and the Golan Heights, and Egypt’s internal problems, which might undermine its peace with Israel. In the Gaza Strip, the growing conflict between Israel and Hamas could lead to another war.

This book offers an in depth discussion of the Israeli – Iranian conflict, and its implications for the United States and Arab states. The author explains the complexity of the Iranian – Israeli – Arab triangle, while offering suggestions on how the United States can assist Israel in this matter.