Customer Reviews

Open Secrets: Israeli Foreign and Nuclear Policies

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To call this book an expose would be silly. Everybody knows that Israel has a (secret) stockpile of THE ultimate weapons of mass-destruction. The reasons for the reluctance of public figures to avoid this universally known truth would fill libraries, no doubt. What this book brings into focus is the frightening reality that many players in the Israeli establishment, military and otherwise, see the use of such weapons as an inevitable response to any military setback which might under other circumstances necessitate a soul-searching peace-seeking negotiation with a military counterpart. How near such a response has been is a disgraceful indictment of all things American Pie. Don't read this book if you treasure your Reader's Digest/CNN/Disneyworld kindergarten version of the heroic struggle for Israel. More of us must listen to the few truly heroic voices - like Shahak's - before the removal of this Millenium colonial tyranny becomes even more difficult. Shame and forgiveness. Peace and unity. May the peace and tranquility of God descend upon us all. Amen.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. The current Israeli war against Hezbollah and Hamas once again points out the futility of wars against ideas. The "war on terrorism" has no particular targets or goals and so, like the "war on drugs," it will fail. Israel may be able to assassinate today's independent-minded Arab leaders, but more will arise tomorrow. Short of killing everyone that is not a Jew, Israel will continue into the future to face opposition to its current behavior in Palestine.

Middle Eastern politics, particularly when it involves Israel, is a complete mystery to most Americans. Reading the late Dr. Israel Shahak's "Open Secrets" is certainly enlightening. The book is a series of essays published at least 10 years ago. Re-reading this book, one assumes that it was written within the last six months. Especially relevant is the essay "Israeli foreign policy - 1994." War then (as it is now) was not initiated by the government but by those really in change - "army generals, intelligence seniors and high officials." The government and Prime Minister rubber-stamp decisions that have either already been implemented or approves operations when the troops have already started shooting. Thus, the current war is merely the policy of a clique with an agenda and not the expressed wishes of the people. With a media fully supportive of the government line and the only superpower on earth supplying unconditional military and political support, the people's attitude may be easily obtained after-the-fact. Ten years ago, Israel knew little about Hezbollah. Since Hezbollah has not yet capitulated in the current round of violence, it is likely that the level of knowledge today has not changed.

No less relevant are observations concerning what is known today as the "war on terrorism": "the more vague a given state's concept of the sources of terrorism, the more its intelligence can be faulted for incompetence... [B]ecause those authorities ... want to find "proofs" of what they have already assumed (intelligence work is bound to suffer)." Throughout history the same lessons appear over and over again, yet contemporary leaders are either genuinely oblivious or cynically ignoring these lessons.

Dr. Shahak cites numerous Israeli media reports, in line with government opinion, that agitate for war against Iran ("since the spring of 1992"). Thus, once the smallest pretext arises, Israel will be more than ready to start war. This is extremely detrimental to American interests, since a significant amount of oil flows from the Persian Gulf. American Jews are doing their part to line-up American support for an Israeli-Iranian war. Although Israeli media reports may sound fantastic (for example, a Palestinian state would align with an Iran armed with nuclear weapons), the pronouncements come from those who make policy, as Dr. Shahak points out, thus, should not be taken lightly. Americans can't remember past last Tuesday; it is crucial that they review their history. In this respect, Dr. Shahaks book is an extremely useful memory aid.

The late Jewish author, Israel Shahak, explains in great detail the interconnections between U.S. and Israeli policies in both the middle east and Latin America and how these policies affect both countries and the world.

Consider the current situation with North Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan... this book is prophetic. This book details why China and North Korea will talk to Israel when negotiating indirectly witht he United States. If ever there was a time to understand the web of communications between countries such as North Korea, Syria, China, Israel, Columbia and others, now is it. I read this book over a year ago, and now come back to write a review because of its renewed importance in light of recent developments (2003).

Read about Saddam Hussein's failed attempt to make peace with Israel, and more! Long before 9-11, this book WARNS its readers of the serious terrorist threat that would come out of Afghanistan! Prophetic. A book that details information with such accuracy, makes predictions that come to realization, is certainly a book worthy of information-hungry men and women the world over.

Going back and re-reading this book is like a visit with Nostradamus. I HIGHLY recommend this book as it will provide you with a strong understanding of what's behind U.S. moves on Iraq, relative silence towards North Korea and more.

A wonderful book, but without an extensive backround in the subject it is difficult to judge its accuracy. Good to have at hand when listening to the latest dispatches from the Middle East. Guaranteed to earn you concerned glances from your friends when they spot it on your bookshelf!

The title contains the flashy words "nuclear policy" and "secrets", but fails to address the subject of Israeli nuclear policy, or even the broader issue of weapons of mass destruction at the hands of Israel or any of its neighbors. Though the title indicates that the reader will learn what was not known before on Israel's nuclear weapons, the fundamental questions on Israel's nuclear armament are not treated at all. Instead, the sensational title is misused to promote a particular view of the Arab Israeli conflict. A book such as this one could harm serious antinuclear activism, as it may make it appear politically motivated.