The Strained Alliance
George H. W. Bush, Yitzhak Shamir, and the US-Israel Special Relationship
Published on 23. October 2025
Book
Hardback
312 pages
978-1-009-68781-2 (ISBN)
Description
When George H. W. Bush ascended to the American presidency in 1989, one of the more urgent relationships that he was faced with building was that with Israel's Yitzhak Shamir. Drawing on newly declassified materials, from American and Israeli state and non-state archives, this book reveals the complexities of a relationship defined by both deep cooperation and sharp tensions. From the peace process to loan guarantees, from military aid to emotional diplomacy, The Strained Alliance uncovers the debates, conflicts, and strategic decisions that shaped this critical period between 1989-1992. In doing so, David Tal challenges the traditional perception that US-Israel relations were dominated by policy disagreements, highlighting instead the broader foundation of collaboration that endured behind the scenes. Tal provides fresh insights into the intricate dynamics of diplomacy, ideology, and leadership, offering a balanced perspective on one of the most pivotal chapters in US-Israel history.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
605 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-009-68781-2 (9781009687812)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
David Tal
The Strained Alliance
George H. W. Bush, Yitzhak Shamir, and the US-Israel Special Relationship
Book
10/2025
Cambridge University Press
€47.40
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
David Tal is the Yossi Harel Chair in Modern Israel Studies at the University of Sussex. His fields of expertise are Israel's military and diplomatic history, Israel-US relationship and US disarmament policy. Tal has published extensively in these areas including, most recently, his fifth book The Making of an Alliance: The History of the Israel-US Special Relationship (Cambridge, 2022).
Content
Introduction; 1. First encounters, 1989-1990; 2. 'Lay aside, once and for all, the unrealistic vision of a greater Israel' 3. On the brinks of a new world, 8/1990-1991; 4. 1991 - 'Israel under missile attack'; 5. The bumpy road to Madrid, 1991; 6. 1992 - The fall of leaders; Conclusion.