Perhaps nowhere in the world is the military's role in society a more fascinating and complex issue than in Israel. As a small nation surrounded by often hostile Arab states, Israel has had to go to war many times in its short existence and thus has been forced to maintain a large, strong, and well-trained military.

In Civil-Military Relations in Israel, Yehuda Ben Meir examines the reasons preventing Israel from becoming a "garrison state." A former deputy minister for foreign affairs and longtime member and analyst of the Israeli political scene, Ben Meir is uniquely qualified to give a behind-the-scenes picture of the intimate relationship between Israel's civilian and military leaders.

Civil-Military Relations in Israel examines the changing face of the Israeli military over the years, from an idealistic defense force to a professional army. Ben Meir also views the great divisiveness in Israeli politics as a threat to the unified strength of purpose that, in the past, characterized the nation's civil authority, and he examines present and future threats to continued civilian control of the military.

The book also delves into the legal and constitutional foundations of Israel's civil-military relations, providing a valuable perspective on the organization and role of the current defense establishment, as well as the informal relationship between the key players in the system. In addition, Ben Meir pinpoints the areas in which the military is involved in key political decision making.

Despite continuing efforts to resolve the pattern of violence and conflict in the Middle East, the long-standing hostility between Arab and Jew in the region is unlikely to disappear in the near future. And as long as such animosity lingers, Israel's military will remain a strong force in Israeli politics.

The questions asked in Civil-Military Relations in Israel are, How does Israel manage to maintain civilian control of the military, and can it continue to do so in the future? Ben Meir's latest book is indispensable for any reader concerned with Israel, the Middle East, and foreign or military affairs.