Many scholars in international relations have suggested that the goal of fostering regional security can be furthered through the creation of multilateral webs of relationships, called security structures. These regional security structures are envisioned as a basis upon which groups of states can form mutually beneficial long-term relationships. This discourse took on a new importance in the last 20 years of the 20th century, and especially following new challenges in international security in recent years. Discussions on regional security were initiated in the Middle East in 1992, as part of the Middle East peace process. The collapse of the Oslo process and other regional developments in the latter half of the 1990s have diminished hopes that the initial gains made in this direction might further develop, as violence has again become the primary mode of effecting political changes in the region. On the backdrop of this somewhat dismal current reality in the Middle East the rationale for this volume is thatresearch into regional security structures should nevertheless be pursued. When looking at the long term process of creating regional security, setbacks are not unlikely. The articles that make up this collection focus on the problems that have been encountered, and possible directions for getting regional efforts back on track.

Middle Eastern politics of the 1990s has been characterised by a drive towards peace. Indeed, despite the continuation of violence for much of the decade, the willingness of Palestinian, Israeli and Syrian leaders to enter into a dialogue has led some to suggest that we may be witnessing the dawn of a New Middle East. Whether the current drive for peace is successful or not will depend on the negotiating process. The ongoing dialogue must agree on several issues that have led to the collapse of past initiatives such as regional security, concession of territory and arms control. The articles in this book discuss the challenges presented by such problems, they also provide some practical advice on how risks of failure could be seized. The fluidity of regional politics, domestic and international, suggests that the issues discussed in this volume are significant, timely and deserve serious consideration by scholars and practitioners in and outside of the region.

Why do reasonable people lead their nations into the tremendously destructive traps of international conflict? Why do nations then deepen their involvement and make it harder to escape from these traps? In Paradoxes of War, originally published in 1990, Zeev Maoz addresses these and other paradoxical questions about the war process. Using a unique approach to the study of war, he demonstrates that wars may often break out because states wish to prevent them, and continue despite the desperate efforts of the combatants to end them. Paradoxes of War is organized around the various stages of war. The first part discusses the causes of war, the second the management of war, and the third the short- and long-term implications of war. In each chapter Maoz explores a different paradox as a contradiction between reasonable expectations and the outcomes of motivated behaviour based on those expectations. He documents these paradoxes in twentieth century wars, including the Korean War, the Six Day War, and the Vietnam War. Maoz then invokes cognitive and rational choice theories to explain why these paradoxes arise. Paradoxes of War is essential reading for students and scholars of international politics, war and peace studies, international relations theory, and political science in general.

Why do reasonable people lead their nations into the tremendously destructive traps of international conflict? Why do nations then deepen their involvement and make it harder to escape from these traps? In Paradoxes of War, originally published in 1990, Zeev Maoz addresses these and other paradoxical questions about the war process. Using a unique approach to the study of war, he demonstrates that wars may often break out because states wish to prevent them, and continue despite the desperate efforts of the combatants to end them. Paradoxes of War is organized around the various stages of war. The first part discusses the causes of war, the second the management of war, and the third the short- and long-term implications of war. In each chapter Maoz explores a different paradox as a contradiction between reasonable expectations and the outcomes of motivated behaviour based on those expectations. He documents these paradoxes in twentieth century wars, including the Korean War, the Six Day War, and the Vietnam War. Maoz then invokes cognitive and rational choice theories to explain why these paradoxes arise. Paradoxes of War is essential reading for students and scholars of international politics, war and peace studies, international relations theory, and political science in general.

Middle Eastern politics of the 1990s has been characterised by a drive towards peace. Indeed, despite the continuation of violence for much of the decade, the willingness of Palestinian, Israeli and Syrian leaders to enter into a dialogue has led some to suggest that we may be witnessing the dawn of a New Middle East. Whether the current drive for peace is successful or not will depend on the negotiating process. The ongoing dialogue must agree on several issues that have led to the collapse of past initiatives such as regional security, concession of territory and arms control. The articles in this book discuss the challenges presented by such problems, they also provide some practical advice on how risks of failure could be seized. The fluidity of regional politics, domestic and international, suggests that the issues discussed in this volume are significant, timely and deserve serious consideration by scholars and practitioners in and outside of the region.

Many scholars in international relations have suggested that the goal of fostering regional security can be furthered through the creation of multilateral webs of relationships, called security structures. These regional security structures are envisioned as a basis upon which groups of states can form mutually beneficial long-term relationships. This discourse took on a new importance in the last 20 years of the 20th century, and especially following new challenges in international security in recent years. Discussions on regional security were initiated in the Middle East in 1992, as part of the Middle East peace process. The collapse of the Oslo process and other regional developments in the latter half of the 1990s have diminished hopes that the initial gains made in this direction might further develop, as violence has again become the primary mode of effecting political changes in the region. On the backdrop of this somewhat dismal current reality in the Middle East the rationale for this volume is that research into regional security structures should nevertheless be pursued. When looking at the long term process of creating regional security, setbacks are not unlikely. been encountered, and possible directions for getting regional efforts back on track.

The effect of religious factors on politics has been a key issue since the end of the Cold War and the subsequent rise of religious terrorism. However, the systematic investigations of these topics have focused primarily on the effects of religion on domestic and international conflict. Scriptures, Shrines, Scapegoats, and World Politics offers a comprehensive evaluation of the role of religion in international relations, broadening the scope of investigation to such topics as the relationship between religion and cooperation, religion and conflict, and the relationship between religion and the quality of life. Religion is often manipulated by political elites to advance their principal goal of political survival. Zeev Maoz and Errol A. Henderson find that no specific religion is either consistently more bellicose or consistently more cooperative than other religions. However, religious similarity between states tends to reduce the propensity of conflict and increase the opportunity for security cooperation. The authors find a significant relationship between secularism and human security.

Maoz views the evolution of international relations over the last two centuries as a set of interacting, cooperative and conflicting networks of states. The networks that emerged are the result of national choice processes about forming or breaking ties with other states. States are constantly concerned with their security and survival in an anarchic world. Their security concerns stem from their external environment and their past conflicts. Because many of them cannot ensure their security by their own power, they need allies to balance against a hostile international environment. The alliance choices made by states define the structure of security cooperation networks and spill over into other cooperative networks, including trade and institutions. Maoz tests his theory by applying social networks analysis (SNA) methods to international relations. He offers a novel perspective as a system of interrelated networks that co-evolve and interact with one another.

National Choices and International Processes brings together the various conflicting approaches to the study of foreign policy decision-making under a single theoretical framework. Initially examining decision processes within states, Zeev Maoz continues by exploring the relationship between the creation of national choices and their outcomes, the interactions between states and the manner in which international processes evolve over time. This he calls the 'bottom up' approach which is contrasted in his last chapter with the 'top down' approach of systems analysis. Although the focus of this study is on theoretical construction, Maoz provides a thorough analysis of the literature on foreign policy decision-making and international bargaining. His arguments are supported both by separate chapters of mathematical analysis and by numerous historical examples, often from the Middle East - an area where the author has particular expertise. National Choices and International Processes is the culmination of many years work. It will be of interest to students and specialists in foreign policy and international relations theory.

Multiple Paths to Knowledge in International Relations provides a uniquely valuable view of current approaches and findings in conflict studies. This volume showcases work informed by four powerful research tools: rational choice theory and game theory; simulation, experimentation, and artificial intelligence; quantitative studies; and case studies. Each research method is introduced and evaluated for its specific potential, including both strengths and weaknesses. Throughout, the notable contributors clearly explain how they choose, frame, and go about answering questions. While expanding our knowledge of particular conflicts, from the Crimean War to the Vietnam War to ongoing Palestinian-Israeli instability, Multiple Paths also furthers our understanding of how to conduct research in international relations.

National Choices and International Processes brings together the various conflicting approaches to the study of foreign policy decision-making under a single theoretical framework. Initially examining decision processes within states, Zeev Maoz continues by exploring the relationship between the creation of national choices and their outcomes, the interactions between states and the manner in which international processes evolve over time. This he calls the 'bottom up' approach which is contrasted in his last chapter with the 'top down' approach of systems analysis. Although the focus of this study is on theoretical construction, Maoz provides a thorough analysis of the literature on foreign policy decision-making and international bargaining. His arguments are supported both by separate chapters of mathematical analysis and by numerous historical examples, often from the Middle East - an area where the author has particular expertise. National Choices and International Processes is the culmination of many years work. It will be of interest to students and specialists in foreign policy and international relations theory.

The effect of religious factors on politics has been a key issue since the end of the Cold War and the subsequent rise of religious terrorism. However, the systematic investigations of these topics have focused primarily on the effects of religion on domestic and international conflict. Scriptures, Shrines, Scapegoats, and World Politics offers a comprehensive evaluation of the role of religion in international relations, broadening the scope of investigation to such topics as the relationship between religion and cooperation, religion and conflict, and the relationship between religion and the quality of life. Religion is often manipulated by political elites to advance their principal goal of political survival. Zeev Maoz and Errol A. Henderson find that no specific religion is either consistently more bellicose or consistently more cooperative than other religions. However, religious similarity between states tends to reduce the propensity of conflict and increase the opportunity for security cooperation. The authors find a significant relationship between secularism and human security.

Most of the wars in which Israel has been involved were the result of Israeli aggression, flawed decision making, and conflict management strategies, or were otherwise avoidable. According to esteemed scholar and policy analyst Zeev Maoz, Israel's war experience is a story of folly, recklessness, and self-made traps. None of the wars - with the possible exception of the 1948 War of Independence - were what Israelis call wars of necessity. They were all wars of choice or folly. ""Defending the Holy Land"" is a comprehensive and critical analysis of Israel's national security and foreign policy from the inception of the state of Israel to the present. In these pages, Maoz argues that Israel's national security policy rested on a trigger-happy approach to the use of force combined with a hesitant and reactive peace diplomacy. This combination was facilitated by the domination of the security establishment over the foreign policy apparatus, resulting in unnecessary or aggressive wars and missed opportunities for peace. Ultimately, ""Defending the Holy Land"" calls for a fundamental reassessment of Israel's security doctrine and for a major reform in the foreign policy and national security establishments.

Explains the origins and dynamics of enduring rivalries between countries