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The Rise of the Israel-Islamist Conflict

(Frontpage Magazine) Jamie Glazov - Jonathan Spyer, a researcher at the Global Research in International Affairs Center in Herzliya, is the author of the new book, The Transforming Fire - The Rise of the Israel-Islamist Conflict. Spyer: "The old Arab-Israeli conflict has been in a long process of winding down since the mid-1970s, as the Arab states that once led it gradually leave the field of engagement. However, the combination of popular Islamist movements in Arab countries and the state interest of the Islamic Republic of Iran is producing a new alliance which is committed to the destruction of Jewish sovereignty. The book describes the emergence of this alliance, the basis of its strategic optimism and its belief system, the response of the Israeli society and state to the challenge posed by this new alliance, and the main engagements between the two sides so far, with a particular focus on the 2006 Second Lebanon War." "The alliance committed to Israel's destruction contains within it many forces, with quite disparate ideological and belief systems. There are Iranian or pro-Iranian Shia Islamists, of course, but there are also fanatically anti-Shia Sunni salafis within the ranks of Hamas. There are also ostensibly secular nationalists, exemplified by the Syrian regime and by the less important remnants of secular Arab nationalism who place themselves under this banner....All are anti-American and anti-Western." "All believe that...they represent the rising force in the region, and that the U.S. and its allies are demonstrably in decline." "The Iranian/Islamist side is currently making gains, not only or primarily in its fight with Israel, but across the region....It effectively dominates Lebanon through Hizbullah, and it has succeeded in planting what looks more and more like a permanent split in the Palestinian national movement, giving itself a veto on any diplomatic progress between Israelis and Palestinians."
2010-12-29 08:38:38
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