The Israeli-Palestinian peace process, the continuing US-Iraqi confrontation, the changing political dynamics in Iran, recent Pakistani-Indian hostilities and Osama bin Laden-all of these have one important common denominator: Significant strands of their origins can be traced to the tumultuous year of 1979. This text offers a new paradigm for stud

DAVID W. LESCH is Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio. His publications include The Middle East and the United States: A Historical and Political Reassessment (editor, Westview Press, forthcoming third edition 2002).

Preface, Introduction: The Secular Priesthood and "Annualization", The Events, Future Past, Conclusion, Appendix A: The Camp David Accords, Appendix 8: Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel, Appendix C: Annual State of the Union Message (1980) (the Carter Doctrine), Notes, Bibliography, Index