The shadow war between Israel and Iran has been raging for more than
three decades, ever since the Iranian revolution of 1979 ushered in a
fundamentalist regime whose sworn enemies have consistently included,
first and foremost, Israel and the United States. Israel, especially,
has borne the brunt of attacks from Iran's two most powerful
proxies--Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran's
nuclear ambitions raise the stakes immeasurably. Israel vs. Iran
evaluates the threat to Israel's security posed by a nuclear Iran,
including competing perceptions of the threat, and analyzes Israel's
military and diplomatic options.
Drawing on in-depth research and invaluable access to the Israeli
defense establishment, including interviews with key decision makers,
Israeli military correspondent Yaakov Katz and Israeli military
historian Yoaz Hendel describe behind-the-scenes Israeli strategic
military deliberations and intelligence analysis since the Second
Lebanon War of 2006. The authors focus on pivotal military events in
this shadow war with Iran, including the Syrian reactor bombing and
Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip, as well as assassinations of key
Hezbollah operatives, Iranian nuclear scientists, and Syrian officials.
Assassinations, computer viruses, and Western sanctions might not be
enough to stop Iran, the authors argue. They outline the choice Israel
faces: launch a military strike, which could lead to an all-out regional
war, or tacitly accept a nuclear Iran, which would lead to a new balance
of power in the Middle East. In 2012 Israel appears closer than ever to
making a decision.
