Peace Process: American Diplomacy and the Arab-Israeli Conflict Since 1967

by William B. Quandt

Updated through the first term of President George W. Bush, the latest edition of this classic work analyzes how each U.S. president since Lyndon Johnson has dealt with the complex challenge of Arab-Israeli peacemaking. Written especially for classroom use, Peace Process is also an invaluable resource for policymakers and anyone interested in this vital region of the world.

Brookings Institution

Genres: History, Israel, Politics, Middle East, Nonfiction

549 pages, Paperback

First published June 27, 1905

About the author

William Bauer Quandt

Reviews

[Edward Champion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent (and surprisingly objective!) synthesis of American foreign policy in relation to Israel and Palestine that covers efforts from Johnson through Bush I. In addition to offering a fairminded and well-researched overview of the proceedings, Quandt has generously provided numerous appendices featuring key documents and speeches from Presidents. We learn that Johnson was wildly obtuse in believing that he could solve the problem (while also contending with Vietnam). And while Quandt himself is diplomatic about noted (and now thankfully dead) war criminal Henry Kissinger's "diplomacy" in the Middle East, he is honest enough to show Kissinger's limitations: a deliberately paced approach, combined with "shuttle diplomacy" in which transparency is not valued, is the wrong approach for negotiations. Of the Presidents, Carter emerges (rightfully) as the most effective peace broker, but Quandt points to limitations of his approach (while also rightfully arguing if any further agreement could have been hashed out under the circumstances). Reagan, as many of us already knew, is obtuse, passive, and uneducated, too much beholden to the handling of his advisers. While Bush I emerges as a surprisingly bold innovator (and failure) in tying Israel financial aid to the development of settlements. Quandt frames all this with an eye to every angle and also hints at the Presidential qualities needed to attempt to hash out peace. For anyone interested in American foreign policy (and its limitations), Quandt's volume is a must-read.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides an excellent analysis of the American involvement in the Arab Israeli conflict. It categorizes the conflict's resolution as a process evolving towards peace. The book picks up in 1967 with American involvement in trying to resolve the six day war and the aftermath where the Arab countries began thinking about a resolution to the conflict. The 1973 war marked another turning point in the conflict and the US response began to crystallize and become consistent with a possible solution. It became clear that the Soviet Union's quiet acquiesce would be necessary. The American negotiations are very clearly laid out in this book and the author does an excellent job of establishing motive. This is a wonderful book if you have a good knowledge of the conflict. For those seeking that history I would recommend Benny Morris book Righteous Victims.
This book really shines in the Nixon and on era where the author clearly categorizes the diplomatic efforts of the Kissinger Shuttle, Camp David Accords, the Oslo agreements and the Road Map. Overall the author is fairly unbiased and places blame where appropriate. The one place where this is lacking is in the analysis of George W. Bush. While Bush has done little towards solving the crisis the second to last chapter is more about the war in Iraq and why it was a bad plan than why it detracted from the ability to focus on the Arab Israeli conflict. Despite this it is still the best book we have on American diplomatic history in this conflict and well worth the time to read if you want to understand the conflict.

[Mohamed Yehia · Rating 3 out of 5]

عن الفارق بين دولة المؤسسات و بلاد الفرد الاوحد و الصدفة و القبيلة و الصدفة

[Connor Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite text book from college. I have reread it since. Very thorough and informative. Must read for those interested in the why's and how's of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved the chapters on Nixon and Carter