American Policy toward Israel

American Policy Toward Israel explains the institutionalization of nearly unconditional American support of Israel during the Reagan administration, and its persistence in the first Bush administration in terms of the competition of belief systems in American society and politics. The book explains policy changes over time and provides insights into what circumstances might lead to lasting changes in policy. It identifies the important domestic social, religious and political elements that have vied for primacy on policy toward Israel and, using case studies, such as the 1981 AWACS sale and the 1991 loan guarantees, argues that policy debates have been struggles to embed and enforce beliefs about Israel and about Arabs. It also establishes a framework for better understanding the influences and constraints on American policy toward Israel. An epilogue applies the lessons learned to the current Bush administration. This book will be of interest to students of U.S. Foreign Policy, Middle Eastern Politics and International Relations.