Fear and Insecurity: Israel and the Iran Threat Narrative

by Jonathan G. Leslie

Overview

To observers of the Iran-Israel conflict, its vitriolic rhetoric might suggest an ancient hatred between Jews and Muslims-a biblical feud dating back hundreds, or thousands, of years. But this rivalry is a far more modern development.

In this authoritative study, Jonathan G. Leslie examines the origins of the conflict. Drawing on extensive archival and open-source research, he concludes that-despite the animosity surrounding the Iran-Israel relationship-the twenty-first century's hostilities are not inevitable consequences of these nations' history, nor of contemporary political events. The intensification of tensions has been largely the product of one nation's efforts, with Israel viewing Iran as a far greater danger than Iran does Israel. Using a novel theoretical approach considering the power of narrative within historical context, Leslie outlines how Israel's leaders successfully reimagined their erstwhile ally Iran as an existential threat. Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took this further, employing populist strategies in an attempt to rewrite history, depict Iran as a global menace, and recruit allies against the JCPOA nuclear deal.

Fear and Insecurity provides important new insights into the history of the Iran-Israel conflict, and offers fresh prospects for defusing the tensions threatening both global and regional security.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780197685556
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	02/15/2023
Pages:	312
Product dimensions:	8.75(w) x 5.89(h) x 1.31(d)

About the Author

Jonathan G. Leslie is a consultant and adjunct professor at the Center for Security Studies at Georgetown University, Washington, DC. He received his PhD from SOAS University of London, and holds degrees from Princeton University and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Power Of Narrative
I. Constructing A Threat Narrative
Ii. Internalizing Insecurity: Securitization Of The Iran Threat
Iii. Public Investment In The Counterfactual Threat: Populist Securitization
Chapter Two: History - From Friendship To Enmity
I. Introduction
Ii. Jews In Persia And Iran
Iii. From Indifference To Collaboration
Iv. The Islamic Republic And The Jewish State
V. Conclusion
Chapter Three: Politics - Employing The Threat
I. Introduction
Ii. The Emergence Of The Threat Narrative
Iii. The Entrenchment Of The Threat Narrative
Iv. Uncertainty
Vi. Conclusion: Image Or Imagination
Chapter Four: Actions - Constructing An Enemy
I. The Threat Of Diplomacy
Ii. Iran's Nuclear History
Iii. Phase I: Israel And The "Axis Of Evil"
Iv. Phase Ii: The Case Against Iran
V. Phase Iii: Fighting Iran In Lebanon
Vi. Conclusion
Chapter 5: Messaging - Netanyahu's Iran
I. Introduction
Ii. Ahmadinejad's Facilitation And Rouhani's Contradiction
Iii. Netanyahu's Tropes
A. Narrative Strategy
B. Setting The Stage
C. Operationalizing The Tropes
Iv. Conclusion: Narrative Vs. Reality
Chapter 6: Iran And Israel In The Age Of Populism
I. Introduction: The Triumph Of Diplomacy
Ii. The Courtship
Iii. Engagement: Trump's First Year
Iv. The Union: Success
V. Conclusion
Conclusion
Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

"This is the authoritative account of Israeli-Iranian relations. Everyone remotely interested in this pivotal region needs to read this book and to recommend it further."— Arshin Adib-Moghaddam, author of What is Iran?

"Fear and Insecurity offers a formidable thesis revolving around the enduring power of the Iran threat narrative, a perception that has long been manipulated by populist leaders in Israel. This is a timely addition and a great contribution to explain the lingering-albeit constructed-tensions in Israeli-Iranian relations."— Mahmood Monshipouri, author of In the Shadow of Mistrust: The Geopolitics and Diplomacy of US-Iran Relations

"An original contribution to the scholarly literature on the topic, Leslie excellently explains how the art of enemy-making has succeeded in creating today's animosity in the Iran-Israel conflict."— Nader Entessar, Professor Emeritus, Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, University of South Alabama

"Fear and Insecurity offers an authoritative account of Iranian-Israeli relations revolving around the growing power of the Iran threat narrative,... The book succeeds in clarifying the dynamics between these two countries." — Choice

From the Publisher