Israel's conflict with the Palestinians, and the Arab world at large, casts a long shadow over her history. When 1920s Zionist leaders formulated the 'Iron Wall' strategy - negotiating from a position of unassailable strength - they intended that a stronger Israel would eventually be able to make peace with her Arab neighbours. This has been an elusive hope.

Here, Shlaim explores the reasons for Israel's long reliance on military power in the absence of settlement. His analysis will bring scant comfort to partisans on either side, but it is required reading for anyone interested in this fascinating, troubled land.