The war for Lebanon -- a conflict of domestic and external forces seeking to shape and control the Lebanese entity -- began long before 1970 and unfortunately did not end in 1983. But these years, the focus of this book, form a particularly significant phase in the history of both Lebanon and its immediate environment. The events of this period unfolded through 4 distinct stages: the collapse of the Lebanese political system between 1970 and 1975; the civil war of 1975-76; the lingering crisis of the years 1976-82; and the war of 1982. This book primarily explores the interplay between Lebanon's domestic politics and developments in the larger Middle East.

About the Author

Itamar Rabinovich is Ettinger Professor of Contemporary Middle Easter History and Director of the Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University.

Reviews

Events in Lebanon always threaten to outrun the interpretive literature, but Itamar Rabinovich has narrowed the gap. His book is balanced and insightful, providing much historical background to the 1982 war. Rabinovich attributes Lebanon's passage from the periphery to the center of Middle Eastern politics to the confluence of Palestinian, Israeli, and Syrian interests there. Though he does not minimize the internal sources of increasing Christian-Muslem tensions, he notes the diffuculties caused by the influx of Palestinians into Lebanon after 1970. Rabinovich does not reduce Lebanon's domestic conflict to one of Muslems versus Christians. Rather, he painstakingly sorts out the alliances and rivalries among Christians and the various Muslim sects.

* New York Times Book Review *

This is partly a history of Lebanon's breakdown and civil war, partly a study of why and how Israel went to war in 1982. The author is at home in all of the topics he covers... and his account is remarkably objective.

* Foreign Affairs *

What distinguishes this book, written by an eminent Israeli scholar, is the high degree of factual accuracy and the remarkably objective analysis.... It deserves to be widely read for its clear perspective, cogent analysis, and for the new light it sheds on a crucial and eventful period in Lebanese history.

* Middle East Journal *



Book Information
ISBN 9780801493133
Author Itamar Rabinovich
Format Paperback
Page Count 243
Imprint Cornell University Press
Publisher Cornell University Press
Weight(grams) 454g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 19mm