Israel and the Cold War: Diplomacy, Strategy and the Policy of the Periphery at the United Nations

Following its creation in 1948, Israel was confronted with the challenge of establishing relations with key players in the Middle East, in the face of opposition from most of the Arab states. Patten explores the genesis and development of Israel’s foreign relations with Iran, Turkey and Ethiopia, known as the “Policy of the Periphery.” Highlighting the pragmatism and Realpolitik at the heart of this policy, Israel and the Cold War analyzes the national interests and mutual concerns which shaped relations and strategy at the United Nations during the critical moments of the establishment of the State of Israel and the following forty years, before the ramifications of the Iranian Revolution became apparent. Based primarily on UN documents, this is a vital primary resource for those researching the period, as well as the formulation of foreign policy in the Middle East.