A High Price: The Triumphs and Failures of Israeli Counterterrorism by Daniel Byman

Review by Giorgia Piantanida

The short:

This book is a lengthy, detailed analysis of Israeli counterterrorism efforts from 1948 to modern day. Focusing on technical aspects of counterterrorism missions, it was written to elucidate the realities of counterterrorism strategy in the Israeli government and how they have impacted and changed those of Israel’s allies as well. 

The long:

Byman is a professor at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and uses his expertise to paint a detailed picture of Israeli Counterterrorism efforts. He begins his analysis in 1948, focusing on the violent border disputes, and continues through the decades until the modern day. Particular attention is paid to the second intifada, exploring how relations with neighboring countries have also been impacted by these efforts by the Israeli government. Byman speaks directly to the tactics employed by Israeli officials, examining their shortcomings and successes. 

The read or not to read:

This is a tough book that is very detailed and quite in the weeds. If counterterrorism or security is not your thing, I would not recommend it. But as a student of International Security, reading this book gave me a much better insight into the world of counterterrorism, particularly from the Israeli perspective, and expanded my understanding of the field as a whole. (Just remember it is definitely an academic read!)