Arab-Israeli Conflict

Efraim Karsh is Professor and Head of the Mediterranean Studies Programme at King's College, University of London. He has held various academic posts at the Sorbonne, the London School of Economics, Columbia University, Helsinki University and Tel-Aviv University. Professor Karsh has published extensively on Middle Eastern affairs, Soviet foreign policy and European neutrality.

• Introduction and Chronology *Background to war *Warring sides *Outbreak *The fighting *Portrait of a soldier *The world around war *Portrait of a civilian *How the war ended *Conclusion and consequences

The Palestine War has been by far the most important military encounter in the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Israel's survival and victory, coupled with the Palestinian dispersion and the creation of a lingering refugee problem, would redefine Middle Eastern political and military affairs for decades to come.