The Fourth Stage of the Arab-Israel Conflict

Alan Dowty

Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of Notre Dame

The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has passed through three major stages since its origins in 19th century Ottoman Turkey:  from a collision between two communities in Palestine, to an interstate conflict between Israel and Arab states, to the re-emergence of the Palestinians as the major actor opposite Israel.

Since the turn of the 21st century, a fourth stage appears to be emerging, rooted in religious militancy, the rise of non-state actors, and changes in the nature of warfare. This development complicates chances of reaching a two-state settlement of the conflict.

Alan Dowty taught at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem before coming to Notre Dame in 1975. He retired at Notre Dame in 2004. In 2003-2006, he was the first holder of the Kahanoff Chair in Israel Studies at the University of Calgary, and in 2005-2007 he was President of the Association for Israel Studies. He has published seven books and more than 130 articles on the Middle East, U.S. foreign policy, and international relations.

His latest book is Israel/Palestine.

Sponsors
Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies
Department of Political Science
ND International Security Program