The Superpowers and the Syrian-Israeli Conflict

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This study investigates the evolution of the military balance between Israel and Syria between 1978 and 1989 and the effects of the close strategic ties that developed in this period between these states and their respective superpower partners. The fighting in Lebanon in 1982 is closely examined, both because it proved to be a strategic turning point for Israel and Syria, and because it provided important lessons concerning the interaction of the two superpowers in this area. The study also explores the immunity of this area in the late 1980s to diplomatic efforts that resolved numerous regional conflicts elsewhere in the world, as well as the surprising overall stability in the area in the absence of effective diplomacy. Cobban identifies lessons that may be relevant in addressing the Arab-Israeli conflict in the 1990s. This book should be valuable reading for political scientists, students of military engagements, and others who have an interest in the strained relationship between Israel and Syria.

Reviews

"Cobban . . . is correct in supposing that the Syrian-Israeli dispute is a function of local rivalry rather than the outcome of interpower strife. Consequently, the powers have trouble forcing their partners into meaningful moves when peace is at stake. As a result, the small partner is frequently capable of dragging the power into involved situations, even if both countries are not bound by a military alliance. Herein is a good and detailed portrayal of both the military aspect of these relations and the balance of power."- Ze'ev Schiff Defense Editor Ha'aretz c3
"The Middle Eastern problem is suffused with emotion and ignorance. It is both good and important to have Cobban's perceptive and cool dissection of a truly complex issue."-Zbigniew Brezezinski Center for Strategic and International Studies Former National Security Adviser
Middle East analyst Cobban's 'historical case study of how things were in the Israel-Syria theater during the years 1978-1989' was largely completed before Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, but the events of the past year make this book more, rather than less, relevant. . . . Cobban's focus, then, on these two heavily armed nations and their superpower relationships could hardly be more timely. . . . Seeking to understand both the 'relative immunity' of the Israel-Syria conflict to the late 1980s trend toward peaceful resolution of conflict in other parts of the Third World and the 'seemingly anomalous strategic stability' between Syria and Israel in this period, Cobban offers hope that intelligent diplomacy by these nations and by the superpowers can move this troubled region 'beyond crisis management.'-Booklist
"Middle East analyst Cobban's 'historical case study of how things were in the Israel-Syria theater during the years 1978-1989' was largely completed before Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, but the events of the past year make this book more, rather than less, relevant. . . . Cobban's focus, then, on these two heavily armed nations and their superpower relationships could hardly be more timely. . . . Seeking to understand both the 'relative immunity' of the Israel-Syria conflict to the late 1980s trend toward peaceful resolution of conflict in other parts of the Third World and the 'seemingly anomalous strategic stability' between Syria and Israel in this period, Cobban offers hope that intelligent diplomacy by these nations and by the superpowers can move this troubled region 'beyond crisis management.'"-Booklist

Author Bio

HELENA COBBAN completed most of this study while she was a Social Science Research Council-MacArthur senior fellow in International Peace and Security Studies. She is currently a scholar-in-residence at the Foundation for Middle East Peace. She contributed to and edited a monograph on The Military Dimensions of Soviet Middle East Policy (1988) and has published articles on the U.S.-Israeli strategic relationship. She also authored The Palestinian Liberation Organization: People, Power, and Politics (1984) and The Making of Modern Lebanon (1985).