Psychological Warfare in the Intifada : Israeli and Palestinian Media Politics and Military Strategies

Psychological warfare is a touchy subject in western democratic societies. It raises the spectre of Nazism and totalitarian methods of mind control, yet provides an explanation for the spectacular success of the Palestinians in their fight against Israel, and their ability to exert political pressure on this regional power. This is the first book of its kind on PSYOP (psychological operations - military actions designed to influence the perceptions and attitudes of individuals, groups and foreign governments) in Middle East research. It provides a much needed in-depth analysis of the techniques used by both the Israelis and the Palestinians. The volume clarifies the rationales for psychological warfare in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from 1948 to 1991, examines the development of concepts of offensive and defensive psychological warfare as developed by the Nazis and the Soviets, as well as US and British tactics of persuasion, and the ways the main actors have adapted these tactics to the specifics of the Intifada. Close attention is paid to the formulation and dissemination of Palestinian psychological themes directed at the Arab world, neutral parties and the enemy, and official Israeli (largely unsuccessful) attempts to counter them, including official government stances and directives to the Israeli Defense Forces. The Intifada, conducted under media scrutiny, resulted in a total re-examination of Israeli military strategies, which has important bearing for the future conduct of armies fighting local insurgency, most recently the US Iraq experience. This book is essential reading for all involved in Media Studies and Military Strategy.

Defining Political Warfare: Propaganda, Terror and Insurgency; PSYOP and its Implementation in the Intifada: SCAME – Source, Content, Audience, Media, Effects; The Palestinian Political Struggle: Ideology, Semantics, Islam, and the Social Structure of the Movement; Political Warfare Themes: Different Perceptions of Historical Experience; Foreign Media in the Territories: Palestinian Strategies; The Palestinian Information System: Journalism and Radio; The Israeli Information System: The Government Press Office and the Foreign Ministry; IDF Preparations for Political Warfare: Themes, Tradition and Initiatives; Strategy and Tactics in the Conduct of the Intifada: Tools of Dissemination; Lessons Learned, Initiatives Foregone: Fundamental Requirements for Political Warfare; Index.

The Threat of Ballistic Missiles in the Middle East : Active Defense and Counter-Measures

The potential threat from primitive, inexpensive ballistic missiles, especially when armed with means of mass destruction, represents a major development in the arms race. The accelerated escalation in the number, range, and load-carrying capabilities of the missiles in the last decade has occurred because the technologies required to manufacture a missile of the Scud type and its derivatives are simple, cheap, and readily available. In contrast, interception requires technologies found only at the forefront of twenty-first century military science. This disparity, favouring the aggressor, forms a tremendous temptation for Arab states in the Middle East - such as Egypt, Libya, Syria and Iran - to build up stocks of missiles. This book addresses the complex issue of defense against ballistic missiles by intercepting them at various stages of their trajectory: during launching - such as the Boost Phase Interception (BPI) project being developed by RAFAEL; in the middle of their trajectory, outside the atmosphere - such as the THAAD project of the US Army and the AEGIS project of the US Navy; or in the final stage, when the missile is approaching the target - such as the Israeli Arrow project. This volume poses both technical and conceptual questions regarding the issue of missile-to-missile interception, in contrast to the doctrines of second-strike retaliatory capability and pre-emptive strike. The specific threats posed by ballistic missles to the State of Israel are examined. The 16 research articles, written by leading experts in Israel, the US, and Britain, represent the first serious inquiry to address the specifics of the urgent ballistic missile proliferation and threat in the Middle East.

Contents: Defense Against Ballistic Missiles; No Room for Error in a Minuscule Country: The Case for Enhanced Anti-Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence (TBM); The Arrow System -- Concept and Data; The Missile Threat Against Israel: Boost Phase Intercept of Tactical Ballistic Missiles; Missiles, Defense and Israel; The Chemical and Biological Threat to Israel; The Failure of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in the Middle East; The Boost Phase Intercept (BPI) as an Alternative; The Operative Response to the Tactical Ballistic Missile (TBM) Threat; Systems Perspective: The Dangers of Fragmented Thinking; The Israeli Aspect of Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) -- Strategy by Default; Boost Phase Interception of Ballistic Missiles; Israeli Boost Phase Intercept System (IBIS) -- A Critique; The AEGIS Option: How to Provide Near-Term, Cost Effective Missile Defense to Both Israel and America; The Airborne Laser (ABL): The American View of BPI; Developing Boost Phase Intercept (BPI)–Ascent Phase Intercept (API) Capability; European Perspectives on Missile Defense; Ballistic Missiles, Long-Range Artillery Rockets and Space Launch Vehicles; Glossary; The Contributors.

With the Foreign Legion in Syria

"The French Foreign Legion of popular imagination—stalwart, romantic, mysterious Beau Geste-like soldiers—is basically a myth. After World War I service, Englishman John Harvey (a pseudonym) enlisted in the "real" Foreign Legion, headquartered in North Africa. . . . He served in Syria, then a French mandate, in the late 1920s fighting against the Druses and participating in the brutal massacre of villagers who had refused to pay their taxes. Frustrated by broken promises and used as cannon fodder, Harvey deserted, but was captured and subsequently imprisoned for 18 months. This tale of harsh discipline and beastly degradation—and of sacrifice and gallantry—is a fascinating page-turner." —Military Heritage Magazine

This tale of harsh discipline and beastly degradation-and of sacrifice and gallantry-is a fascinating page-turner.

This memoir of an Englishman in the French Foreign Legion during the Syrian campaign of the late 1920s relates the brutal story of life in the Legion and war in the deserts of Syria. John Harvey joined the Foreign Legion with the assumption that he would receive a substantial bonus and a glorious adventure. He was wrong on both points. Described is the siege of Rachaya Fort against the Druse faction in Syria, a famous and bloody battle.

John Harvey is a pseudonym. There is no record of the real author, although experts believe he lived in England. He is presumed deceased.