This is a timely, incisive and richly informed assessment of the recent Israel-Lebanon conflict written by noted experts from both countries: Lebanese Gilbert Achcar and Israeli Michel Warschawski.

The authors describe the popular basis of Hezbollah in Lebanon among the Shiites, and its relation to the country's other religious communities and political forces. They analyze the regional roles of Syria, Iran and Hamas as well as the politics of the US and Europe.

They then dissect the strategic and political background behind recent actions taken by Israel; the impact of Israel's incursion into Lebanon and its effects on Lebanon's population; and the consequences of the war on Israeli polity and society.