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Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War Hardcover – May 1, 2012

by Yaakov Katz (Author), Yoaz Hendel (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 50 ratings
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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.
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  1. Print length
    254 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    POTOMAC BOOKS
  4. Publication date
    May 1, 2012
  5. Dimensions
    6.37 x 0.97 x 9.4 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1597976687
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1597976688
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a highly informative book. . . . If you are a student of history, especially when it comes to topics such as the Middle East, Israel, Iran, and terrorism, you will find this book to be a worthy read."—Intelmin Apologetics Published On: 2016-03-31

"The greatest threat faced by Israel—and the world—today is a nuclear-armed Iran. Yaakov Katz and Yoaz Hendel assess the options available to Israel, which range from worse to worst. None is good. All must be considered, as Katz and Hendel brilliantly do in a readable and compelling way. This is an invaluable book about an important issue."—Alan Dershowitz, author of Trials of Zion and The Case for Peace

"Israel vs. Iran is fundamental reading for anyone looking to understand why Iran poses a potential existential threat to Israel and what can be done to stop its pursuit of a nuclear weapon."—David Ivry, former IDF deputy chief of staff, former ambassador to Washington, and IAF commander during the 1981 Osirak reactor bombing

"In their remarkable and fascinating description of the ‘shadow war,’ Katz and Hendel enable their readers to better understand the larger battle against Iran, its nuclear program, and its proxies since the Second Lebanon War."—Matan Vilnai, Israel’s home front defense minister

"Without doubt, Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War represents a potentially indispensable contribution to a thoroughly critical literature. For policymakers in Jerusalem and Washington, there can be no better advice than to pore over its lucid pages with great care, prudence, and even a sense of 'destiny.'"—Louis René Beres, professor of political science and international law at Purdue University and chair of Project Daniel

About the Author

Yaakov Katz is the military correspondent and senior defense analyst for the Jerusalem Post and the Israel correspondent for Jane’s Defence Weekly. A popular lecturer on military affairs and former correspondent for USA Today, Katz is a frequent contributor to numerous American publications and a regular commentator on Israel Television, Sky News, Al Jazeera, and other networks. He lives in Jerusalem.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ POTOMAC BOOKS; First Edition (May 1, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 254 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1597976687
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1597976688
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.37 x 0.97 x 9.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 50 ratings

About the author

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Yaakov Katz

Yaakov Katz

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Yaakov Katz is Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post and co-author of "Weapon Wizards - How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower" and "Israel vs. Iran - The Shadow War".

His upcoming book “The Shadow Strike” tells the story behind Israel’s bombing of a nuclear reactor in Syria in 2007. It is scheduled for publication in the summer of 2019.

Katz served for close to a decade as the paper's military reporter and defense analyst and was a faculty member and lecturer at Harvard University where he taught an advanced course in journalism.

Prior to taking up the role of Editor-in-Chief, Katz served for two years as a senior policy adviser to Israel’s Minister of Economy and Minister of Diaspora Affairs.

In 2013, Katz was one of 12 international fellows to spend a year at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.

Originally from Chicago, Katz also has a law degree from Bar Ilan University. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife and four children.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
50 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book tremendously informative, insightful, and well-researched. They also appreciate the writing quality as clear and outstanding. Readers describe the pacing as fascinating, with movie-like scenarios and great stories about specific commando missions.

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15 customers mention "Information quality"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book tremendously informative, insightful, and well-researched. They say it's an interesting read that presents concepts related to significant concerns. Readers also appreciate the detailed explanations and events.

"This is a tremendously informative and insightful book on the existential threat Iran poses to Israel. It explains why and how Israel will respond...." Read more

"The Shadow War is an excellent and broad compilation of info on the war Iran has been waging against Israel and the US on multiple fronts for the..." Read more

"Very well researched and a wealth of information on the war between Iran and Israel...." Read more

"Purchased for a course, I have read better. Explanations and events are explained well, but many details are left out...." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book well-written, clear, and outstanding. They also say it's a quick read at 200 pages.

"...The book is very well organized, clearly written, and packed with information on the IDF, Hezbollah, Hamas, Syria, and the Iranian missile and..." Read more

"...Skillfully put together the book is very readable, informative and a page turner. I read it in two days...." Read more

"Well written book. Quick read @ 200 pages...." Read more

"...noted above I found Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War to be a really good book...." Read more

4 customers mention "Pacing"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fascinating, interesting, and worth having. They appreciate the movie-like scenarios and great stories about specific commando missions, cyberwarfare, assassinations, and analyses into the book.

"...An eye-opening read on how Iran has turned up the war against Israel mainly through proxy and steadfastly built up a nuclear capability most will..." Read more

"...Great stories about specific commando missions, cyberwarfare, assassinations and analyses into the coices facing Israel and its allies with respect..." Read more

"This was a fascinating book primarily covering Iran's backing of terrorist organizations around the world...." Read more

"An interesting book with movie like scenarios, it's a book worth having, it is recommended for anybody with interest in security and intelligence." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Gilberto Villahermosa
5.0 out of 5 stars Provides unparalleled insight into Tel Aviv's struggle with Tehran, Hezbollah and Hamas
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2019
Verified Purchase
This is a tremendously informative and insightful book on the existential threat Iran poses to Israel. It explains why and how Israel will respond. The book is very well organized, clearly written, and packed with information on the IDF, Hezbollah, Hamas, Syria, and the Iranian missile and nuclear programs.

I now understand why recent books are “giving” away so much information (intelligence) on Israeli intelligence operations against Syria and Iran. Israel is trying to prepare the West (especially the United States) and garner support for its upcoming strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. When they happen, the strikes will be aimed at (at least) five Iranian nuclear strikes and perhaps as many as 50 targets. They could take as long as two days.

Israel expects and all out Iranian response, which means not only the launching of missiles from Iran, but also tens of thousands of rockets and missile from Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Such a war could last a long time. Both organizations will also step up terrorism against Israel ad its allies. And the use of assassination teams targeting Israeli officials and scientists should not be discounted.

"Israel vs. Iran" provides unparalleled insight into Tel Aviv's long struggle with Tehran and its Hezbollah and Hamas proxies in Lebanon and Gaza. The book makes it very clear that because the United States and the internaional community have failed to reign in Iran's nuclear ambitions and proxies, Israel will take unilateral action to neutralize both.
2 people found this helpful
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Mladen Andrijasevic
4.0 out of 5 stars Can Iran be deterred?
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2012
Verified Purchase
The Shadow War is an excellent and broad compilation of info on the war Iran has been waging against Israel and the US on multiple fronts for the last twenty years , and Israel's and US reaction. It is the result of a collaborative effort of a military correspondent and a military historian, men who are familiar with the ins and outs of Israeli society and therefore some of the bits and pieces of info are not necessarily the result of their journalist/historian inquiry but may well be their personal experiences as well.

The emphasis is on the lessons Israel had learned from the Second Lebanon War and how the IDF had already applied them during Operation Cast Lead in December 20008 which was much more successful than the Second Lebanon War, and the successful bombing of the Syrian nuclear reactor in September 2007. It becomes clear that Iran is the mastermind behind all these conflicts, with North Korean involvement in the Syrian nuclear reactor case.

Most of the information in the book is available in open sources and from declassified info from interviews with different IDF officers, particularly from Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin who used to be the chief of Aman (military intelligence) and one of the 8 fighter pilots who participated in the bombing of Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981. (First row, left, in the famous photo of the 8 pilots in the Rodger W. Claire's Raid on the Sun). Skillfully put together the book is very readable, informative and a page turner. I read it in two days.

However, the one aspect in the book which is important but remains unclear is the magnitude of the Iranian threat. The crux of the issue is - can Iran be deterred?

The book mentions Prof. Rene Beres and his involvement in Project Daniel:

"After two years of meetings, mostly in conference rooms in New York and Washington, the team had completed its report and submitted it o Prime Minister Sharon in 2003. A grand strategy on how Israel should defend itself and prevent its enemies from obtaining nuclear weapons, the report's basic conclusion was that a policy of mutual assured destruction , which had prevailed between the United States and Soviet Union during the Cold War, would never work between Israel and Iran."

and . ..

'Professor Rene Beres, and expert on nuclear policy who chaired Project Daniel ( see chapter 7) says Israel would likely need to alter its policy of ambiguity in the event that Iran obtains a nuclear weapon. Beres stresses that Israel would not necessarily need to open its nuclear facilities to inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, but it could success in bolstering its deterrence by revealing more about the weapons it possesses. "Israel does not need to start disclosing secrets ," he said . "it could be enough to lift the ambiguity by indicating the availability and capability of the weapon"'

The question that immediately comes to mind - what deterrence? If Iran cannot be deterred and MAD does not work (conclusion of Project Daniel), it becomes irrelevant whether a policy of ambiguity or a policy of nuclear transparency is pursued.

The opinion that Iran cannot be deterred is voiced by the leading scholars of Islam Prof. Bernard Lewis of Princeton University and Prof. Raphael Israeli of Hebrew University. Bernard Lewis in his just published book Notes on a Century - Reflections of a Middle East Historian, page 333, in an email to President Bush's National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, writes :

" Particular importance should be attached to the policies, and perhaps still more the attitudes, of the present rulers of Iran, who seem to be preparing for a final apocalyptic battle between the forces of God [themselves] and of the Devil [ the Great Satan--the United States]. They see this as the final struggle of the End of Time and are therefore undeterred by any level of slaughter and destruction even among their own people . "Allah will know his own" is the phase commonly used, meaning that among the multiple victims God will recognize the Muslims and give them a quick pass to heaven.

In this context, the deterrent that worked so well during the Cold War, namely M.A.D. (Mutual Assured Destruction) , would have no meaning. At the End of Time, there will be general destruction anyway. What will matter is the final destination of the dead-- hell for the infidels, and the delights of heaven for the believers. For people with this mindset, M.A.D. is not a constraint; it is an inducement..."

[...]

Prof. Raphael Israeli in his article in the Jerusalem Post MAD deterrence is being foiled by mad leaders, wrote:
[...]

"This brings us back to our original discussion of nuclear weaponry and the resulting MAD formula that prevented nuclear annihilation during the Cold War: So long as the possibility to hasten the return of the Imam exists, someone as clinically mad as Ahmadinejad may very well decide to use his nuclear program to this end - regardless of the costs or the global consequences. After all, in the post-apocalyptic world, only the omnipotent Imam will have the power to redress the errors made by human leaders."

I believe that the opinions of these scholars should have been taken into account in the analysis of the options Israel has in facing Iran.
14 people found this helpful
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Arthur M. Marcussen
5.0 out of 5 stars Best read yet on the Iranian threat!
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2016
Verified Purchase
Very well researched and a wealth of information on the war between Iran and Israel. Iran is also at war with the US unfortunately some of our politicians and populace cannot seem to understand this. An eye-opening read on how Iran has turned up the war against Israel mainly through proxy and steadfastly built up a nuclear capability most will agree is a forgone conclusion. How unfortunate US leaders could not do more to stop the Iranian nuclear threat and the resulting nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
One person found this helpful
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Danny
3.0 out of 5 stars proactive deterrence or reactive response.
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2014
Verified Purchase
Purchased for a course, I have read better. Explanations and events are explained well, but many details are left out. The use of non-state actors to act on behalf of their support is nothing new. The conception of the IRG and their support across the spectrum is well known to anyone with interests in the region. Israel and their poor me mentality, is no longer serving them as it did in the past. The book does show, in many pages, the relationships between adversaries, in part to show a motivation of fear on what is to happen next mentality. As the subject matter, is focused around, proactive deterrence or reactive response.
One person found this helpful
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Proud Parents of Furry Kids
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2020
Verified Purchase
I bought the book because Yoaz was an instructor in my selection and he is as good a thinker as he is a warrior. The book is informative, written by people with first hand knowledge, and despite the Yoaz is a smart and humble man, he is a former IDF Naval Commando (SEAL) and a Lt. Col. in the IDF. I would love a book about his experineces from selection to parliment. Highly recommended!
One person found this helpful
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Theresa Linstrom
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book - Extremely current insight into the Iranian regime, its nuclear desires and Israel et al's attempt to stop it.
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2012
Verified Purchase
Well written book. Quick read @ 200 pages. Excellent research into the civilian, political and military implications of a nuclear Iran and the Israeli response. Great stories about specific commando missions, cyberwarfare, assassinations and analyses into the coices facing Israel and its allies with respect to Iran's desire to offset the balance of power in the region/around the globe.
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Top reviews from other countries

Mike
5.0 out of 5 stars What a book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 16, 2012
Verified Purchase
I confess that this book is so good that I could not put it down until I had read it, much to my neglect of other less agreable tasks. It is very well researched and right up to date even to the point of looking into possible future events.
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