In this piece, Lewis Sage-Passant reviews “Hope and Despair: Israel’s Future in the New Middle East” by Michael A. Horowitz. This book, from Hurst & Company, explores Israel’s complex relationship with its neighbours and the crossroads the country finds itself at. With isolationism and despair on one hand, and hope and engagement on the other, this important book comes at a critical time for a region on the brink.
Further book recommendations can be found in our 2024 Geopolitical Reading List.
“Hope and Despair” is a deeply fitting title for Michael Horowitz’ new book on Israel and its place in the Middle East. Reading it, one can sense an earlier, hopefully optimistic draft written against the backdrop of the Abraham Accords, which has since been written over with the tones of despair that have followed since October 7. Horowitz examines the possibilities facing Israel in embracing its regional neighbours, noting eloquently that the region “…has so much past, that we often forget to speak about its future.” Examining an article published by Ambassador al Otaiba of the United Arab Emirates (in Hebrew) in a leading Israeli paper, in which the Ambassador noted that Israel stood at a crossroads between the annexation of the West Bank and subsequent isolation, and a more optimistic path of engagement and opportunity, Horowitz takes stock of Israel’s geopolitical position and the choices it must now make, while decrying the repeated short-term traps the government has found itself caught in (often, as he notes, of its own choosing).
With the world’s eyes fixed on the crisis gripping the region, Horowitz’ call for a less reactive, more strategic rethink of Israel’s position in order to pursue a more hopeful future is truly important. This book is therefore essential reading to those in the foreign policy community, as well as scholars and analysts seeking to understand Israel’s changing – yet complex – relationship with its neighbours. I would recommend it for geopolitical readers at the intermediate and advanced level seeking to understand the Abraham Accords, Israel’s relationship with the Gulf States and how this balances with the Palestinian cause, as well as Israel’s tense relationship with Iran.
“Hope and Despair: Israel’s Future in the New Middle East” is available from Hurst & Company, who generously provided Encyclopedia Geopolitica with a copy for this review.
Additional geopolitical reading suggestions can be found in our 2024 Geopolitical Reading List.
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Lewis Sage-Passant is a researcher in the field of intelligence and espionage, and a former British Military Intelligence Officer. Lewis holds a PhD in intelligence studies, and is an adjunct professor in intelligence at Sciences Po Paris. He has extensive experience working and living in the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions in a variety of geopolitical analysis and intelligence roles, supporting the energy industry, the financial sector, leading technology firms, and the pharmaceuticals sector. He has appeared in numerous media outlets, including the BBC, France24, CNBC, Harvard Business Review, The New Arab, El Mundo, GQ, and others, discussing intelligence, geopolitics, and security topics.
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