BI in Context [Old MOOS Additional References]

For many, the second biggest surprise associated with the October 7 attack was the reluctance of many on the left to condemn the attack (and the fact that some even supported it). This article looks at the intellectual foundations behind the left's reactions.

An essay that asked us to consider the possibility that the relative peace and stability that we've enjoyed over the last several decades is something of an aberration and that "normal" times are much more dangerous. We need to take efforts to avoid this kind of normality much more seriously.

An examination of the rules-based international order that was instituted following World War II to reduce the risk of that that war's horrors would be repeated. And, an exploration of the ways in which that, always tenuous, order is now eroding rapidly.

An especially enlightening interview with former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Michael Oren, recorded on October 7.

The many conflicts swirling around Israel cannot be understood by a quick perusal of current events. This is a part of the world where history really matters and this is an especially good guide to sources that explain that history.

A counter-argument to the claim that the Hamas war was simply a desperate effort to resist an unjust occupation. The article explains the long history of similar violence — violence that precedes any sort of Israeli occupation.

A must-read history of the many Israeli peace overtures that were violently rejected by Palestinians (included an account of the 2000 era when Israelis made all of the concessions that peacemakers recommended and had those concessions met with a massive wave of terror attacks).

An essay that places Israeli actions (both past and future) into the broader context of Middle Eastern political violence — violence that often does not involve Israel (and does involve large-scale attacks on civilians).

An explanation of why Israelis (and Jews, more generally) find the Hamas' October 7 even more terrifying than non-Jews might conclude from watching the news. There is a long history of this kind of violence that we thought we had moved beyond. Now it seems clear that we haven't.

Israeli rabbi, author and blogger Daniel Gordis reflects on the enormity of the attacks, concluding that Israel will win, but it will never be the same. Despite the fact that the government was "nowhere to be found," the people and the army were raising a defense on their own.