Isabella Ginor and Gideon Remez, "The Soviet-Israeli War, 1967-1973: The USSR's Military Intervention in the Egyptian-Israeli Conflict" (Oxford UP, 2017)
Jul 28, 2024
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Gideon Remez, a Fellow at the Harry S. Truman Institute, co-authored a groundbreaking study on the Soviet's military involvement in the Egyptian-Israeli conflict. They discuss the often-overlooked dynamics of the USSR's role in shaping Middle Eastern politics during the Cold War. Remez challenges traditional views on Soviet intervention, emphasizing their strategic preemptive support to Egypt. The conversation also unveils the significance of Soviet air power in the Yom Kippur War and explores the geopolitical implications of these military strategies.
The podcast highlights the previously overlooked role of the USSR in influencing the dynamics of the Egyptian-Israeli conflict during the Cold War.
Gideon Remez shares insights from his career in journalism, emphasizing how personal experiences shape scholarly perspectives on historical events.
The discussion underscores the lessons learned from past conflicts regarding the importance of accurate intelligence and avoiding complacency in foreign relations.
Deep dives
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Gideon Ramez’s Journey into Academia and Journalism
Gideon Ramez's academic journey is rooted in his experiences as a Sabra, which shaped his perspectives and pursuits. Initially aiming to become a teacher, he found his calling in journalism, specifically at Voice of Israel Radio, where he excelled for nearly four decades. This shift allowed him to cover pivotal historical events, such as the final days of the Soviet Union, and develop expertise in Soviet affairs. His transition into academics later brought him back to his foundations, culminating in significant publications regarding the Soviet-Israeli conflict.
Soviet Military Influence in Middle Eastern Conflicts
The podcast discusses the previously overlooked Soviet military involvement in the Egyptian-Israeli conflict, particularly the interventions during the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War. Research reveals that the Soviets had plans to invade Israel in the lead-up to the Six-Day War, which were disrupted by Israel's aggressive tactics. The extensive military engagement, including personnel and equipment supplied to Egypt, reshaped the landscape of the conflicts and highlighted the USSR's strategic interests in the region. This newfound understanding emphasizes the complexity of the political dynamics involving superpowers in local conflicts.
Lessons from Historical Perspectives on Conflict
The conversation draws parallels between historical conflicts and contemporary issues, stressing the significance of accurate intelligence and the dangers of complacency. This reflection on past events, such as the Yom Kippur War, highlights how overconfidence led to unexpected challenges for Israel. The discussion warns against relying solely on preconceived notions that may not account for changing realities, emphasizing that misjudgments based on outdated information can lead to severe consequences. Ultimately, the insights gleaned from these historical narratives serve as a cautionary reminder about the fluid nature of international relations.
Russia's forceful re-entry into the Middle Eastern arena, and the accentuated continuity of Soviet policy and methods of the 1960s and '70s, highlight the topicality of this groundbreaking study, which confirms the USSR's role in shaping Middle Eastern and global history.
The Soviet-Israeli War, 1967-1973: The USSR's Military Intervention in the Egyptian-Israeli Conflict (Oxford UP, 2017) covers the peak of the USSR's direct military involvement in the Egyptian-Israeli conflict. The head-on clash between US-armed Israeli forces and some 20,000 Soviet servicemen with state-of-the-art weaponry turned the Middle East into the hottest front of the Cold War. The Soviets' success in this war of attrition paved the way for their planning and support of Egypt's cross-canal offensive in the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
Ginor and Remez challenge a series of long-accepted notions as to the scope, timeline and character of the Soviet intervention and overturn the conventional view that détente with the US induced Moscow to restrainthat a US-Moscow détente led to a curtailment of Egyptian ambitions to recapture of the land it lost to Israel in 1967. Between this analytical rethink and the introduction of an entirely new genre of sources-- -memoirs and other publications by Soviet veterans themselves---The Soviet-Israeli War paves the way for scholars to revisit this pivotal moment in world history.